David Moyes is in talks with Everton over a potential return to Goodison Park after the sacking of Sean Dyche.
While a deal was not yet to be sealed, and Moyes is not the only candidate, BBC Sport has been told that the Scot was the front-runner by a well-placed source.
Negotiations over a contract were set to continue on Friday.
Ex-Burnley boss Dyche was dismissed on Thursday with the club standing 16th in the Premier League, just one point clear of the relegation zone.
They have won just three of 19 games in the league this season.
Moyes managed Everton from 2002 to 2013 before leaving to take charge of Manchester United, but he was sacked after 10 months.
He had two spells at West Ham and guided them to the Europa Conference League title in 2023, but he has been out of work since leaving them last season.
Moyes recently said he was not ready to retire from football management but did not want to be in a job “fighting relegation”.
