Pereira closing on Everton job after talks with club chiefs in London

Vitor Pereira was in London on Tuesday night as he emerges as the leading contender to become Everton's new manager.

The Portuguese boss was in the capital for talks with the Toffees about replacing Rafa Benitez, who was sacked earlier this month.

Sportsmail were first to reveal on Sunday that Pereira had become a serious contender for the Everton vacancy.

A deal for Pereira to take the reins at Goodison Park is now set to accelerate, with sources claiming that only a late U-turn would prevent the Portuguese from becoming the club's new manager.

The former Porto coach had already held one round of talks prior to this week's discussions, understood to be on a video call, with Everton representatives.

Pereira has held talks about becoming Everton boss on two previous occasions but it could be a case of third time lucky.

Serial winner Pereira has won nine trophies during his managerial career so far and Toffees owner Farhad Moshiri is eager to make a 'forward-thinking' appointment.

Moshiri, the Merseyside club’s majority shareholder, is keen to appoint a coach he views as a visionary and who he feels can breathe new life and fresh ideas into Goodison Park following a string of appointments of managers who have all had previous Premier League experience. 

Pereira would arrive with a proven track record of winning and developing players. 

He led Porto to the title during his two seasons in charge at the Portuguese club, in 2012 and 2013, when he was named Portuguese coach of the year. 

He was Andre Villas-Boas’s assistant during the 2010-11 season when Porto also lifted the title. 

As well as Porto, the Portuguese has also held the top job at Fenerbahce and Olympiakos, where he won the Greek title. 

Pereira has also helped