Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert wants Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry to return to Villa Park and help mentor his kids.
The People says Lambert sees Barry as an ideal role model to help develop his young stars, although Stoke City, now managed by Mark Hughes, who bought him for City four years ago, West Ham and Cardiff are also showing interest in the 32-year-old midfielder.
Barry, who made over 400 Villa appearances between 1998 and his £12m move to Manchester, is prepared to see out his £100,000 a week contract, but does not want to spend the season on the fringes of the squad.