Everton are reportedly leading the hunt for Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson. With the England Under-21 International also being tracked by Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Arsenal and Liverpool, who had an offer of £4million turned down by City last summer, according to The Times.

20-year-old Johnson started his football career as a schoolboy at Everton, with the midfielder signing for the Blues in 2004 and going on to make his senior debut in 2006.

New City boss Mark Hughes has offered Johnson a new contract worth £24,000-a-week. Which is believed to be double the amount of the four-year contract he signed last summer, but Johnson is adament he is worth more after the club valued him at £8million.

Hughes is on record as describing Johnson as an “outstanding young talent” and is keen to keep him at the Eastlands Stadium.

With Sporting Lisbon declaring Everton’s move for their captain Joao Moutinho “over, Toffees manager David Moyes could bid for Johnson now that the sale of Andy Johnson to Fulham has gone through. While Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is still in the market for a midfielder, though it is thought he would prefer to bring someone with more experience to the Emirates Stadium.