Everton are interested in Belgium manager Roberto Martinez returning to the club and have made initial contact with the Belgian Football Association.
Belgium are reluctant to lose the Spaniard, 48, with the World Cup in Qatar in November and believe they will retain his services.
Martinez is high on the Toffees' list of contenders to succeed Rafael Benitez, who was sacked on Sunday.
He managed Everton from 2013 until he was sacked in 2016.
He then became Belgium manager in August 2016, achieving a third place finish at the 2018 World Cup and he is also technical director of the national team.