Confirmed: Everton in talks with Ronald Koeman

*UPDATE* Ronald Koeman's agent Rob Jansen confirms to Dutch public service broadcaster NOS that they are in talks with Everton

Everton's pursuit of a new manager has taken a giant leap forward with the news they have opened talks with Southampton's Ronald Koeman.

Sky Sources: Everton in talks with Ronald Koeman to become new manager. #SSNHQ

— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) June 3, 2016

Sky Sports News HQ claim Everton majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri is leading the talks with the Dutchman, detailing his vision to bolster the squad with a hefty transfer kitty and build a new stadium.

Compensation would need to be agreed with Southampton, with a fee in the region of £3million believed to be enough to buy Koeman out of the final year of his contract.

Reports breaking overnight claimed Everton were preparing a bumper offer that Koeman simply couldn't refuse with the promise of transfer funds in excess of £100m.

The move had been cast into fresh doubt earlier on Friday when local Southampton paper The Daily Echo claimed the Saints were still "hopeful" Koeman would sign a new deal at the club and no approach had been made.

Unclear how close Koeman to Everton is , but hear contract discussions etc with #saintsfc did not impress him. Could develop quickly #efc

— richard askam (@richaskam) June 3, 2016

The was contradicted by a report in Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, which claimed Everton could announce Koeman as their new manager within 24 hours.

@Rondiabc almost a done deal it seems. Only Southampton will try to make it as difficult as possible.

— Tim de Wit (@timdewit) June 3, 2016

That appears to be a little optimistic but it does appear a deal to bring Koeman to Everton is well underway and could be confirmed sooner rather than later.