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Everton are set to step up their pursuit of Ronald Koeman.

And the Blues are hopeful of a “positive development” this week, with the Southampton manager back from an end of season family break in the Caribbean.

Koeman has hit a block in contract talks at Saints, and that has offered encouragement to Everton, with major shareholder Farhad Moshiri declaring the former Holland international defender as his top target.

The Goodison Park hierarchy are well aware Koeman appeared to dismiss early links with their vacancy.

But they believe Moshiri will provide the firepower, in both salary and spending terms , to turn his head.

Moshiri and chairman Bill Kenwright are ready to hold a further round of talks with candidates for the managerial hot-seat, as they seek a replacement for the sacked Roberto Martinez.

(Image: Everton FC/Getty)

Unai Emery – who beat Everton' arch-rivals Liverpool in the Europa League final - is now a leading contender, after hinting at wanting a new challenge beyond Sevilla.

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The Spaniard had a buy-out that was set at more than £6million, but his contract stipulated it dropped to just £2million on Wednesday — though money is certainly not an issue for Moshiri, who has promised to invest more than £100m into the team.

Emery – who has won a hat-trick of Europa Leagues with Sevilla – has also been suggested as a potential replacement for Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid, and would take that job if offered it.

Read more — Unai Emery's Sevilla beat Liverpool in the Europa League final:

But he was taken to Sevilla by the Spanish club’s director of football Monchi...who is now among the candidates to fill a similar role at Goodison.

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Moshiri and Kenwright have already made contact with a number of candidates, including former Ajax boss Frank De Boer and Manchester City’s axed manager Manuel Pellegrini, but are determined to take their time to ensure they get the right man.