On the bus back from Rochdale, where Lescott looked classy as ever, the pair of them never even broached the subject? They just talked about holidays and Top Gear and simply skirted around the elephant in the room?

We have to remember that Everton made similar noises about Wayne Rooney, and yet ultimately yielded. Is there any reason to think that Lescott’s scenario will play out much differently?

Everton are more or less skint, and admitted as much in their recent shareholders’ forum. The thought of carrying on what is more or less our annual player Ponzi scheme, where we make a sale in order to finance a signing, might appeal to Moyes, who says he needs a £15 million player to improve the current side. He’s never going to admit that Lescott is expendable though, clearly, as he wants to sweat as much cash from City as possible.

However, City want the player, he wants their money, and it wouldn’t be at all surprising if Everton would quite like the best part of £20 million.

It doesn’t take Plato then, to work out what the end result is likely to be.