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Everton will hold more talks with Rafa Benitez this weekend and could be in a position to finalise his appointment as their new boss early next week.

Farhad Moshiri, Everton’s major shareholder, has met the former Liverpool manager on a number of occasions in the past fortnight and it is now the Iranian’s intention to offer him a contract.

The 61-year-old is already working out who will form part of his backroom staff. He hopes to be joined by long-time ally Paco de Miguel, who would assume the role of fitness coach.

Everton are to hold more talks with Rafa Benitez and could appoint him early next week

Benitez  has tended to appoint assistant managers who had connections with his club — Sammy Lee worked with him at Liverpool, Bolo Zenden at Chelsea — and he plans to talk to Everton assistant Duncan Ferguson about staying on.

Ferguson worked alongside Carlo Ancelotti and was keen to be considered for the role of permanent manager after the Italian left last month. 

Everton's majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri intends to offer the Spaniard a contract

Benitez plans to discuss with Duncan Ferguson about staying on as his assistant at Everton

But, after much deliberation, the process is now almost at a conclusion and Benitez will become Moshiri’s fifth appointment in five years.

It is a decision that will divide Everton fans and there have already been banners, daubed with graffiti, hung up outside Goodison Park protesting about the prospect of hiring Benitez.

Fans left signs outside Goodison Park to protest about them hiring an ex-Liverpool manager