Everton are reportedly set to begin talks with Carlo Ancelotti in the coming days after he was sacked as Napoli manager.
Former Chelsea boss Ancelotti lost his job just hours after his side's 4-0 victory over Genk in the Champions League, which saw them progress to the knockout stages.
The Italian is believed to be one of up to 10 candidates Arsenal are looking to interview as they search for a permanent replacement for Unai Emery, who was sacked last month.
But Everton have tried to get in ahead of the Gunners by setting up talks with Ancelotti this week, according to Sky Sports.
Everton are looking for a new manager after sacking Marco Silva following a 5-2 thrashing by Liverpool in last week's Merseyside derby at Anfield.
Goodison Park icon Duncan Ferguson has been placed in interim charge of Everton and inspired them to an impressive 3-1 win over Chelsea on Saturday which lifted them out of the Premier League's relegation zone and into 14th place.
But now Everton's thoughts are turning to a permanent appointment, and the club have reportedly moved fast after Napoli sacked Ancelotti following the win over Genk, which ended a nine-game winless run for the Serie A side.
However, former Liverpool and Leeds United winger Harry Kewell doesn't believe Ancelotti is the right for for Everton.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Kewell said: "Not in the predicament they're in at the moment. They need to get back to basics.
"They've got good players. Do the players just need a rocket to get them going?"
Ancelotti has won three Champions league trophies and the Club World Cup as well as league titles in Italy, England, Germany and France.
He has managed Juventus , AC Milan, Chelsea, Paris-Saint Germain, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, and led Napoli to second in Serie A last season.
Vitor Pereira has ruled himself out of the running for the Everton job after previously having been touted as the leading contender, while the club have also reportedly held talks with Emery.