"?Everton are reportedly looking to hire esteemed 'super scout' Eduardo Macia as the club hierarchy looks to overhaul and update their transfer system in preparation for a new manager and new era under the ownership of Farhad Moshiri.
According to the Daily Mirror, the Toffees are battling with Manchester United to secure the services of the 42-year-old Spaniard.
Macia has previously worked on Merseyside, spending four years across Stanley Park at Anfield where he was responsible for recruiting individuals like Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano. It was also he who identified a 15-year-old Raheem Sterling as a target.
Prior to Liverpool, he had also worked with Rafa Benitez at Valencia and has since held roles with Olympiacos, Fiorentina and was most recently appointed sporting director at Real Betis.
The report from the Mirror suggests that Macia is regarded as 'one of the best in the world' at what he does. In a footballing world where good recruitment has become even more important than ever before, it's no wonder Everton are keen.
Everton have long been run in a more traditional manner that is fast becoming outdated, with chairman Bill Kenwright often taking the lead in transfer negotiations.
The planned restructuring will see a technical director installed, whether that be Macia, the previously rumoured Marc Overmars or someone else, to oversee the whole recruitment process which will also include contract negotiations for existing players.
As is the way for more and more Premier League clubs, the new manager will therefore largely operate as a 'head coach' and be left mainly to focus on the team, training and results.
As yet, the identity of that individual remains unknown. Frank de Boer is believed to be the leading contender, while departing Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini is thought to have held preliminary talks with Moshiri earlier this month.
The Toffees have also had eyes for Ronald Koeman, who is rumoured to have been offered double the money he could earn at Southampton should he make the switch to Goodison.
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