RONALD Koeman’s imminent switch to Everton has fuelled speculation Southampton could target Cherries boss Eddie Howe as a replacement.

Reports that Koeman, despite being on holiday, had agreed terms to move to Goodison Park after two years in charge of Saints has gathered pace throughout today.

Conflicting accounts did the rounds on social media until late afternoon when widespread speculation over a done deal was backed by the Liverpool Echo, who said Koeman’s agent Rob Jansen had confirmed reports.

A compensation figure of £5million was increasingly bandied about but as yet there has been no official statement from either club.

However, with an announcement anticipated by the end of the week, thoughts have already turned to who will replace Koeman at St Mary’s.

Links to Howe, who has consistently reiterated his commitment to Cherries throughout their maiden Premier League campaign, gathered pace on Saturday when the Telegraph named the Vitality Stadium boss as a potential candidate for the Saints post.

Sevilla’s Unai Emery was also mentioned but the Spaniard is fancied to replace under-fire Laurent Blanc at Paris St Germain.

Howe, former-Ajax manager Frank de Boer and ex-Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini are the bookies' favourites.

De Boer’s agent Guido Aldbers, who used to represent Koeman, is said to have distanced his client from the race according to the BBC but other outlets such as the Times and the Express would have you believe otherwise.

The Times indicated Everton had approached Howe following the sacking of Roberto Martinez but that he told them he was happy to stay at Vitality Stadium.

The Daily Mail reports Howe would have reservations about leaving for a local rival and damaging the legendary status he has in the town.

Southampton’s executive director Les Reed was in his post when Howe was approached over filling the vacancy left by Alan Pardew in 2010. Howe opted to stay at Cherries at a time when both clubs plied their trade in League One.

Reed is thought to remain a big admirer but with his stock rising and having received unflinching backing from Russian owner Maxim Demin, Howe has always refuted suggestions he could move on.

Fielding a question on where he saw his future in April on the back of rumours linking him with Everton, Howe said: “Hopefully, in work first and foremost.

“You have got to win games to stay in work and I am fully committed to this job here.

“I don’t think I have to reaffirm my commitment here every week which seems to be a regular pattern.

“I love it here and am committed to the job. I’m Bournemouth manager and I’m proud to be Bournemouth manager.”