Ramsey has already held talks with Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson, but the Old Trafford club’s decision to release an official statement on their website on Tuesday, claiming the deal was all but done, is understood to have irritated the Ramsey camp.

United would loan Ramsey, nicknamed ‘Rambo’, back to Cardiff, but the level-headed youngster will not be pressed into a move he does not want to make and is carefully considering all of his options.

Everton’s interest and their confidence to be able to go head-to-head with two of Europe’s elite for a signing illustrates the significant strides the club has made under Moyes and Kenwright in recent seasons. 

The move also reflects an eagerness on Moyes’ behalf to try and buy British this summer.

Moyes proved with Wayne Rooney – and since with other teenagers such as James Vaughan and the promising Jack Rodwell – that he is not afraid of blooding blossoming young talent in the cut and thrust of the Premier League.

The Cardiff manager and former Everton player Dave Jones is believed to have made that point to Ramsey, whose prodigious development at beaten FA Cup finalists Cardiff has made him one of football’s hottest properties.

Ramsey has made just 22 appearances for the Bluebirds, but his presence on the pitch for someone so young has seen him hailed as Wales’ most-talented player since Ryan Giggs.

Moyes’ search for a new assistant is focusing on Chelsea No2 Steve Clarke and Newcastle’s Steve Round.

Moyes has been waiting to make an appointment since former right-hand man Alan Irvine left to manage Preston last November.