Everton boss David Moyes is lining up a return for Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott.

The Mirror says Moyes has made no secret of his desire to bring 30-year-old Lescott back to the club, and admitted recently he would be interested in a loan deal in the window if the player became available.

The stumbling block would, obviously, be money - not only that £24m fee but also Lescott's City salary of around £90,000 a week.

The champions would be happy to get a fringe player on such a large wage off the books, but would have to pay part of his salary to facilitate a move to Everton and, ultimately, take a massive loss on the deal, which would prove an embarrassment following the acrimonious way they got their man in 2009.