Southampton boss Ronald Koeman is close to agreeing a deal to become the next Everton manager, sources close to both clubs told ESPN FC.

Everton, who sacked Roberto Martinez last month after a disappointing 11th-placed finish in the Premier League, have made the Dutchman their number one target, even though he had been in negotiations with Southampton over a new contract.

No such deal has yet been agreed and sources say Everton, now bankrolled by British-Iranian billionaire businessman Farhad Moshiri, have offered a significant increase in wages, plus a far larger transfer budget than would have been available at St Mary's.

Koeman led Southampton to sixth in the Premier League table last season and into the Europa League for the second year in succession, an improvement on Saints' seventh-placed finish in 2014-15.

Reports in the Netherlands earlier on Thursday had suggested that Koeman and agent Rob Jansen were headed to England for negotiations, though Koeman, 53, has a year remaining on his contract at Southampton, who remain keen to keep him on the South Coast.

The Liverpool Echo reported that Moshiri, who bought 49.9 percent of Everton in March, is looking to bring in Sevilla sporting director Monchi to work alongside Koeman.

Monchi, whose full name is Ramon Rodriguez Verdejo, presided over the Spanish club's trio of consecutive Europa League crowns, and is an acknowledged expert on the European transfer market.

Everton have previously been linked with Unai Emery, the manager who worked in tandem with Monchi at Sevilla.