Everton have held talks with Manuel Pellegrini as they step up their search for a new manager.

It is 10 days since Roberto Martinez was sacked and Everton are now committed to making strides to find his replacement, with a number of high-profile options being discussed, including Sevilla’s Unai Emery,

Pellegrini, who has just finished a successful three year spell with Manchester City, is understood to have met with Farhad Moshiri, Everton’s new major investor, to discuss his suitability to succeed Martinez.

Manuel Pellegrini applauds the Manchester City fans on the pitch following his final game at the club

Roberto Martinez was sacked following the penultimate game of the 2015/16 season after a three year stint

The idea of managing Everton would appeal to Pellegrini, as he would be able to continue in the Barclays Premier League without having to leave his current base in the North West.

It is far from certain, though, that Pellegrini will be chosen to oversee the project Moshiri has in mind for Everton and a number of other candidates will be met this week.

They include the bookmakers’ favourite, Southampton’s Ronald Koeman, and Frank De Boer, who has just left his position at Ajax. Both men share the same agent, Guido Albers.

Koeman, who has led Southampton into the Europa League, has been noncommittal about his future, with 12 months remaining on his contract at St Mary’s.

Another contender is the highly-regarded Emery, who last week masterminded the 3-1 defeat of Liverpool in Basel that clinched the remarkable feat for Sevilla of winning the Europa League for three consecutive years.

Emery, who was interviewed for the position Sam Allardyce vacated at West Ham 12 months ago, is admired at Goodison Park and the club want to find out whether he is intent on managing in England.

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has also been listed among the bookmaker's favourites

Sevilla boss Unai Emery celebrates after winning the Europa League final against Liverpool in Basle

David Moyes - who enjoyed tremendous consistency during his spell as Everton manager between 2002 and 2013 - also remains under consideration.

This will be a summer of sweeping change at Everton. They could lose as many as 10 players from the current squad, including John Stones and Romelu Lukaku, who has made it clear he expects to find a new club soon.

Chelsea - who sold him to Everton in 2014 - are in the race to sign Lukaku, as they are with Stones, who is also a target for in-coming Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.