Marco Silva closing in on Everton job

Marco Silva is edging closer to becoming Everton manager as he prepares to hold further talks with the club next week.

The Telegraph report that talks have progressed significantly since the departure of Sam Allardyce on Wednesday and Silva could officially take charge “sooner rather than later”.

Everton remain in dispute with Silva’s former club Watford FC over their alleged illegal approach for the Portuguese last autumn. However, that wouldn’t contractually prevent the Toffees from formally appointing Silva as their manager.

The club could opt to delay the appointment until their dispute with Watford but that seems unlikely. Everton will be keen for Silva to begin work as soon as possible given the contracted summer transfer window so will probably get him on board first before continuing their discussions with the Hornets.

Silva’s appointment of course would strengthen Watford’s argument that he was tapped up by Everton while in charge at Vicarage Road. All the signs are though that the Toffees will not cower to Watford’s demands, meaning a Premier League arbitration panel may have to be set up in order to end the dispute.

That makes it even more important for Everton to get Silva installed quickly so he can get on his with his job while the lawyers get on with theirs.