Alisher Usmanov is thought to have posed a question to Frank Lampard during his interview to become Everton boss earlier this year.
The Toffees have long maintained that Usmanov is somewhat of a distant figure when it comes to overseeing non-business related matters.
The Russian billionaire has recently been sanctioned by the European Union for his ties to Vladimir Putin and The Telegraph report Usmanov played an active role in the hiring process.
Everton's majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri held the interview in his office accompanied by former player Tim Cahill, Lampard himself and prominent members of the club's board, while Usmanov attended via Zoom.
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The club claim Moshiri was simply concluding a separate call with Usmanov about different matters and he had no direct communication with Lampard.
The Merseyside-based outfit have always insisted that their relationship with Usmanov is one solely focused on the commercial aspect.
Though he actually holds no official title at Everton, there is speculation surrounding how much influence he has.
While Lampard answered Usmanov's question, the pair have not yet met in person and have had no communication with each other since.
Usmanov's relationship with Moshiri stems from their mutual interest in the company USM Holdings, which is owned by Usmanov and boasts Moshiri as chairman.
Everton's training ground is sponsored by USM Holdings while the company also have exclusive naming-rights option on the club's new stadium which cost £30m to secure.
Another business where Usmanov has influence is MegaFon, sponsors Everton Woman, where the 68-year-old is currently the majority shareholder.
Monday night saw the confirmation that Usmanov's assets had been frozen by the EU due to his relationship with Russian President Putin.
The EU confirmed Usmanov is one of 26 people currently the subject of "an asset freeze and a prohibition from making funds available to the listed individuals and entities."
The business mogul was described in a regulation update in the Official Journal of the European Union as a "pro-Kremlin oligarch with particularly close ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin."
It went on to state: "He has been referred to as one of Vladimir Putin’s favourite oligarchs.
"He is considered to be one of Russia’s businessmen-officials, who were entrusted with servicing financial flows, but their positions depend on the will of the president."
Usmanov has made little secret of his close relationship with Putin, revealing in 2010: "I am proud that I know Putin, and the fact that everybody does not like him is not Putin's problem."
A spokesperson for Usmanov declined to comment on the Telegraph's report.
