Football journalist Dean Jones believes that Wayne Rooney could be a top target for Everton this summer should Frank Lampard not remain in his role as manager at Goodison Park.
The Toffees have struggled in the Premier League this year, and Lampard's January arrival to replace Rafa Benitez in the dugout has not had the desired effect.
In his 12 league matches in charge, Lampard has picked up just 10 points and his side are currently in the relegation zone, with Burnley leapfrogging them following the weekend's fixtures.
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There could have been a different figure in the technical area at Everton though, with the hierarchy at Goodison Park wanting to interview Rooney back in January when Benitez was sacked.
A household name in the blue half of Liverpool, Rooney played 117 times for his boyhood club over two stints but despite that, he still turned down an interview with the club three months ago as he wanted to carry on the job he was doing as Derby County's manager.
Rooney has reiterated his desire to remain at Pride Park - despite the club's relegation to League One - following positive talks with prospective new owner Chris Kirchner.
But Jones believes that Everton will come calling once again for the 36-year-old should they dispose of Lampard's services - even though the more experienced Sean Dyche is now a free agent.
"I expect that it would still more likely to go to someone like Wayne Rooney than they would go for Sean Dyche because of his links to the club, because of Rooney's potential availability, because he's a household name - he might be a better fit to be honest," Jones told Football League World.
"Sean Dyche would definitely be in the running if Lampard goes but I still think that they might be better off going for Rooney."
The Verdict
Rooney will have a really tough call to make should Everton come calling in the summer - regardless of what league they are in.
On one hand, Rooney's agent Paul Stretford is involved in the deal for Kirchner to purchase Derby County, so if that happens and then he wants to switch to another club then it may make things slightly awkward.
But Rooney is an ambitious man and he surely could not turn down his boyhood club for a second time and to potentially lead them back to the Premier League if they are indeed relegated.
The work Rooney has done this season against so much adversity will be admired by many in the top flight, and you just wonder what may have been if he had accepted that interview back in January and he did make the switch to the Toffees.