MAN CITY MAKE £15M LESCOTT BID

MAN CITY MAKE £15M LESCOTT BID

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Manchester City have made a £15m offer for Everton's Joleon Lescott.

In an apparent response to the diminishing possibility of taking John Terry from Chelsea, City are understood to have formally bid for Lescott on Thursday. Everton boss David Moyes reiterated at a meeting of the club's shareholders this week that the defender was not for sale but that has not deterred City.

As The Guardian says, 'The offer is likely to be rejected but Everton are aware that City have the financial muscle to follow up with an improved financial package. The biggest spenders in the English game have been encouraged to think that Lescott is keen to join a club who seem determined to buy their way into the Champions League.'

The Independent also believes that Lescott is likely to be tempted by City's approach. 'Lescott has always been above Kolo Touré in the list of defenders Hughes is seeking and there has been a feeling since the January transfer window the 26-year-old might be persuaded to move,' it reports. 'When last pressed on the subject after England's World Cup demolition of Andorra last month, he was prickly and fell short of a declaration of loyalty to the Merseyside club.'

Whether or not the bid for Lescott signals the end of City's pursuit of Terry is unclear. One reading of the situation is that in bidding 'only' £15m for Lescott, City have indicated they consider him to be a back-up or partner for Terry rather than a direct alternative.