RB Leipzig have moved quickly to end talk of Ralf Rangnick taking the Everton job.
Everton, increasingly resigned to being unable to prise Marco Silva from Watford, are considering an approach for Rangnick, the 59-year-old who was in the frame in 2013 when Roberto Martinez was appointed Blues boss.
But RB Leipzig chief executive Oliver Mintzlaff told Bild that talks had been accelerated to tie the Sporting Director down to a new deal.
"We expect to extend the contract ahead of schedule this week," Mintzlaff said. "Ralf Rangnick is the sportive engine of our club and therefore also elementary for our future development.
"It was less about financial or maturity issues, but rather about which direction RB Leipzig continues to take.
"Since we have 100 per cent the same ideas, we want to continue the same: make even more stars out of jewels, stay attractive in all areas of the club and continue to grow organically."
Source: tribalfootball.com