Newcastle and Aston Villa are ready to rival Everton for Joleon Lescott this summer, write the Mirror and the Sunday People.
The Manchester City and England defender has been told he can leave the Etihad Stadium in the summer for around £4million as Manchester City embark on another wave of transfer spending.
Lescott, 31 in August, has been eyeing a return to Goodison Park despite his acrimonious £24m departure in 2009.
Everton boss David Moyes was unhappy at Lescott leaving for City despite the massive fee and the pair clashed. That rift has healed and Lescott would relish the chance to return to Goodison as replacement for veteran Sylvain Distin.
But that prospect is clouded with uncertainty as Everton chief Moyes is unsure about his own career path. Everton remain Lescott’s top choice and if Moyes stays he could still get his wish.
It is understood that the fee would be paid in instalments.