JOLEON Lescott will have to force the issue if he wants to join City.

While the cash-rich Eastlands outfit are refusing to respond to speculation that Mark Hughes is ready to lodge a £15million bid for the England international, Everton are eager to get their response in first.

The Toffeemen have made it known they would not welcome any approach from City. And, if one came, the answer would be no.

Such a stance is unlikely to put City off.

After bolstering his attacking options this week with the arrival of Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn and a decision expected from Carlos Tevez at some stage in the next couple of weeks, Hughes is ready to make changes to his defence.

Although City insist they have not received an approach for skipper Richard Dunne from Sunderland, it would not be a surprise if one came.

Hughes would not be willing to release his skipper until he had brought in a replacement, with Lescott apparently the number one target.

After a troublesome start to his international career under Steve McClaren, Lescott forced his way into Fabio Capello’s plans on the back of an excellent season for Everton, which culminated in his appearance in the FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea last month.

Lescott was part of the England side that hammered Andorra at Wembley earlier this month.

It was only the 26-year-old’s seventh cap - and third under Capello - but he will harbour genuine hopes of making the World Cup next summer and knows a decent club campaign can seal his spot in a 23-man squad.

Dilemma

Yet, like so many at Goodison Park, including manager David Moyes, Lescott must wonder whether Everton have hit a glass ceiling in their own attempts to break into the top four.

Gareth Barry was presented with a similar dilemma at Aston Villa and had no hesitation in agreeing the City switch.

Everton are unlikely to be as accommodating as Villa, who cashed in on a player who only had a year remaining on his contract.

Moyes knows he needs Lescott, particularly in the opening weeks of the season, which Phil Jagielka will miss as he completes his recovery from a knee injury.

So if, as expected, City declare their interest, Lescott would need to express his own wish to leave.

City have already shown they will not be held to ransom, no matter how much cash Hughes has at his disposal.

They could include Brazilian front-man Jo, an £18million signing just 12 months ago but seemingly surplus to requirements at City despite performing well on loan at Everton last term, in any package.

That, plus a hefty fee, may be enough to swing it, allowing Hughes to construct a defence around Shay Given he feels is capable of guiding City into the higher reaches of the table.

While Lescott could be the next to make an entrance at City, Ecuador striker Felipe Caicedo is set to be among a clutch of familiar faces preparing to go through the exit door.

Caicedo performed creditably in the role of lead front-man at the end of last season.

The arrival of Santa Cruz has effectively blocked his route next term though and Caicedo’s agent Saif Rubie has confirmed growing interest in the South American.

“At this point in his career Felipe wants to be playing regularly,” Rubie told www.skysports.com.

“There are offers on the table and we will look at all scenarios when Felipe returns from holiday in Ecuador.”

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