Everton U23 coach David Unsworth is a target for Oxford United.
The League One club have made an approach to Blues to talk to the 44-year-old about replacing Pep Clotet, says the Liverpool Echo.
Everton are reluctant to lose Unsworth but are understood to have given Oxford permission to open talks with the under-23s coach.
Spaniard Clotet was only appointed in August but a run which saw them fail to win nine of 13 games meant he was axed – and Unsworth instantly installed as No1 choice to replace him.
The former Everton player is seen as one of the country's most talented coaches and has been winning an increasing number admirers for the work he has done at the club's Academy.