David Moyes ally drops verdict on Everton re-signing John Stones

John Stones has been tipped to return to Everton this summer after leaving Manchester City on a free transfer.

Speaking to Football Insider, former Everton scout Bryan King has backed Stones to return to the Merseyside club and reunite with David Moyes, who was in charge at Goodison Park when the defender arrived from Barnsley in 2013.

Stones, 32, left the Toffees almost 10 years ago to join the Citizens in a deal worth around £50million.

The England international would go on to hoover up trophies, including the Premier League six times.

The defender is in Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad and is expected to play a part in the remainder of the tournament, with his future to be addressed after.

Stones made just 18 appearances across all competitions last season, but would bring significant quality and experience to Everton.

Bryan King tips John Stones for Everton return

Everton are keen to sign defenders this summer, having narrowly escaped a perilous situation this season.

Jarrad Branthwaite was missing for almost the entirety of the season, with only the exceptional fitness of James Tarkowski and Michael Keane saving the Toffees from disaster.

A right-back and a centre-back are now sought at Hill Dickinson Stadium, and Stones is among the players on their radar.

"Stones' contract runs out on the 30th of June, he's a free agent anyway," King, who has long been a close ally of Moyes, exclusively told Football Insider. "But he could be playing in the latter stages of the World Cup as a free agent with no club.

"I could see David Moyes, wanting to bring him back because, as I say, I was involved with the original transfer when he was playing for Barnsley. There was Robbie Cook and Tony Henry, Mick Docherty, myself, who looked at the player initially, playing in different games.

"And we liked him and we brought him in for just over £1m and sold him for over £50m. Now, that's called good scouting. That's good recruitment."

The questions facing Everton on Stones

There are several sureties when it comes to a potential move for Stones for Everton.

One is that he was on significant wages at Man City and another is that he remains a very good player when able to get on the pitch.

But more than anything else, his injuries will decide whether Everton take a risk to sign him this summer. Thigh problems kept Stones out for much of this season and in previous campaigns, it has been the hamstring, the knee, the foot and so much more.

In fact, the last time the England international made over 25 Premier League appearances in a single season was his first campaign after leaving Everton.

Whether Moyes wants to take on that risk or not, it will be one that decision-makers are mulling over for some time.