Everton eye surprise Man City transfer raid for £250,000-a-week star

Everton are reportedly considering approaching Manchester City about the potential return of John Stones to the Merseyside club. Stones, a key player in Pep Guardiola's team, has been sidelined by injuries for the past two seasons and hasn't played since undergoing surgery for a hamstring tear he suffered in February.

City brought in young centre-backs Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Juma Bah in January and are also keen on Everton's star Jarrad Branthwaite.

With only a year remaining on his £250,000-a-week contract, Stones would need to accept a wage reduction to reunite with David Moyes.

However, City's asking price is not expected to be excessive and they recognise that the defender needs regular playtime to vie for a spot in England's World Cup squad next summer.

Stones joined from Everton in a £50million deal in 2016 and has clinched six Premier League titles.

Guardiola views him as the best ball-playing defender at the Etihad, but there are serious doubts about whether Stones can handle the schedule of playing every three days.

He has only started 13 games this season and his campaign was cut short when his hamstring problem resurfaced in the Champions League loss against Real Madrid.

Moyes was Everton's manager when they signed Stones from Barnsley in 2013 for £3million.