Toffees seek Dunne deal

EVERTON have jumped to the head of the queue for the signature of Ireland star defender Richard Dunne.

Dunne was expected to sign for Steve Bruce’s Sunderland but the Dubliner could now return to Goodison Park as part of a £20m deal that would see Joleon Lescott move the other way.

Lescott has been a target for Manchester City for months and manager Mark Hughes would be willing to pay the £20m asking price but Everton boss David Moyes wants Dunne as a makeshift in the deal and the Scot could persuade the 26-year-old to make the short return journey across East Lancashire.