Lescott wants City move

Stuart Brennan

August 04, 2009

JOLEON Lescott has told Everton he wants to leave Merseyside and join the City revolution.

But MEN Sport understands the England defender has not yet put in a written transfer request, though City are determined to have him in their squad before their Premier League opener at Blackburn.

City already have a Plan B in place, with Sylvain Distin, Alex and Sebastien Bassong on a short-list of possible alternatives.

They have been waiting for the Goodison-based player to take his own future in his hands after having bids of £15m and £18m turned down.

Reports from Merseyside suggest that Lescott appears to have done just that, going to see manager David Moyes yesterday and telling him he wants to leave - but not handing in a formal written request.

Moyes is said to have reacted firmly, telling the player he will not be allowed to go.

Lescott will miss Everton's friendly at Blackpool tonight after picking up a hip injury in the pre-season tour of the US, but the Merseysiders expect him to be available for Friday's game against Malaga.

City are powerless to resolve the issue, and the whole deal depends on Lescott now going the extra step and making his request official.

Even then, there would be some hard bargaining to do, with Moyes adamant he does not want to let a key player to go to a side he feels will be rivals for a top six place - although the cash-strapped Everton board may be more amenable.

Lescott would be the last of City's planned five major signings this summer.

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Blue Jazzman, Marple (04/08/2009 at 08:38)

We cant be sure we'll get Lescott
Cos he'll probably end up at the Bescott
We need a big stopper
So lets get us a whopper
and put in a bid for John Prescott

BlueSte (04/08/2009 at 08:45)

I personally think the Lescott signing is a crucial one. He can play a couple of positions, can score goals and is dangerous from set-plays.

I just think that given six months, the squad we have assembled, will be looking to push the top 6 and eill probably starting to gel in time for an assault on the FA Cup, where winning just 6 games will lift the trophy.

Whether we can break the top 4 will depend on how the others strengthen between now and the end of the transfer window, but more overly, how quickly our players gel. Looking at the new season, my tip for the surprise package of the season will be Sunderland, they have been quietly strengthening, signing some good quality, and they now have a manager, it pains me to say it, who will give them a solid work ethic to grind out results.

ILOVECITY, MANCHESTER (04/08/2009 at 08:50)

He needs to get that formal transfer request submitted - apparently he has been writing a letter to kenwright since yesterday evening - could I offer some advice joleon "Dear Kenwright, please may I go to City to treble my wages, TODAY?"

DarthGorb (04/08/2009 at 08:50)

MEN
City have already made 5 major signings this summer...Tevez,Santa Cruz,Adebayor,Toure and Barry or was one of them not planned?

Fat birds should not wear thongs - Mad Blue For Life, Lincolnshire (04/08/2009 at 08:50)

If Lescott was to hand in a written transfer request, Everton would still not want to part with him so a hefty price would be put on his head (£30M). He maybe good, he maybe the right player to slot into our jigsaw but the price is too much. City have "Valuations" on players - this is over the top.

Yes we have the money - but we also have principals

We have other options, one of which is to wait until January and see if we really need anybody.

Blue Benny (04/08/2009 at 08:55)

It's a bit like the Santa Cruz scenario last season. If Everton don't let him go they will be left with a demotivated player just like fat Sam was.

st helens blue(exiled) (04/08/2009 at 08:59)

Good-now get the transfer request in and lets get the deal done.

chris hawley, , Sao Paulo, Brasil (04/08/2009 at 09:03)

Are we supposed to believe that Lescott said to someone "I'm going to tell Moyes that I want to force my move to City" ? Maybe he will come, but unless the Daily Mail etc have mind readers, then this is just made up for now.

ipswich manc,ity, ipswich (04/08/2009 at 09:05)

so he's coming then,about time.ctid

A WORTHY BLUE (04/08/2009 at 09:06)

this is now turning into another santa cruz fiasco.surely it is now time to say this is what we are willing to pay and the offer is on the table untill friday! then move onto another target.i would of loved john terry to of come (i know alot didn't ) but was equally glad when he said he wasn't so we could move on to toure.

look what happened waiting for santa cruz,we missed out on europe because of it in my opinion and numerous targets as a result.this cannot be allowed to happen again.

Devon Blue, Devon (04/08/2009 at 09:08)

I would not waste any more time or money on Lescott he is not worth what we are offering and Moyes wants more oviously and he is not worth more lets now go for Alex and also Robbie will have company

Dave Daveington (04/08/2009 at 09:11)

Where do you get this from? How do you know he did this? Think its a bit of bull

Faishcakes, Sale (04/08/2009 at 09:11)

It's clear he will be in a sky blue shirt by the weekend, money talks!

A tale of Blue halves, Bristol (04/08/2009 at 09:13)

C'mon mate get a wriggle on!

Mark Lynch www.Mcfcdubai.blogspot.com, Dubai UAE (04/08/2009 at 09:13)

I read about this yesterday!! Catch on MEN this is old news. If we do not get lescott I would be tempted to allow Onouha to do the job alongside toure next season rather than go for Distin or Bassong. Alex would not be a bad shout though, but would like to see onouha grab the bull by the horns and keep that position his for many years to come.

Eric, still Dutch (04/08/2009 at 09:17)

At least the player did signal his wish to join us. It's always a pity when it comes to this point. I can understand Everton holding on to Lescott, as they are also without Jakielka for a long period and they need a big squad with the European-games on the calander as well. Then again, it is probably a one time opportunity to cash in 20 million on this player that will give the opportunity to buy two or three players to expend their squad. I respect Moyes and the way he manage Everton. Just wish he doesn't use the media to have a go at City for not being invited by Hughes for a cuppa.

Lescott will certainly provide competition for places at CB. A pick from Toure, Dunne, Onuoha and Lescott looks great. I don't think it will hamper Onuohas' progress. Being a great prospect, Onuoha needs as much competition as anyone else. It will be interesting to see if Dunne stays and fight for his place, or decides to move on for regular first team football with the WC coming up. I wouldn't mind him staying, as I said all along.

Bert is my hero, Cheshire! (04/08/2009 at 09:22)

The plot thickens. How long has he got left on his contract? I see UEFA are worried about debt in English football (naming only Leeds!) and spending by certain clubs, naming Real and City. Which one is in debt? We apparently are "destabilising" the market - our responsibility is to look after everyone else's interests and keep the market stable while our competitors are allowed to buy good teams!

"as blue as my pool", perth, western ozz (04/08/2009 at 09:24)

surley hes in the bag, they cant afford not to sell him.........just hope we dont get taken to the cleaners (again!!!)

Peter Beagrie`s beagle (04/08/2009 at 09:24)

This deal will go right to the end of transfer deadline day, so another late night! This will probably be extended for another day because the 31st is a bank holiday.

Come on Joleon bang your transfer request in and force Moyes hand, he won`t want a player who doesn`t want to play for him, when he can get 20 mil. CTID

A tale of Blue halves, Bristol (04/08/2009 at 09:25)

Key phrase, "last of City's PLANNED.. major signings".

May not be the last..

Bluemanc100, Exiled In Stafford (04/08/2009 at 09:27)

deadline time, everton play ball or we walk away and take Jo back, simple.

As for Distin, I didn't want him to leave when he did, he was motivated by money and paid the price in the thumping on his return the Eastlands, felt kind of sorry for him that day but when you kiss the badge like he did , you sort of deserve it..... Don't want him back now, we should be going forward, what's wrong with Daniel Van Buyten in the team? I'll never forget the look on Robbie Savage's face when he came up against DVB in a city shirt, he messed his pants!!

43andnotseenowtreally, Heaton Misery (04/08/2009 at 09:29)

Come on BIG BOY, let's be 'avin yeeeeeeeeer.

43andnotseenowtreally, Heaton Misery (04/08/2009 at 09:29)

see it's turned out nice again.

Mansour Mango SK9, SK9 (04/08/2009 at 09:33)

This speculation has been going on since May and its taken until August 3rd for the issue to be fronted??
Surely all parties know what they want - Lescott wants to leave, City want to buy, that's 2v1. This should'nt be still dragging on.
Accept the £20 million or they'll have an unhappy bunny in the ranks, either way City win.
lets move on.......(but not Distin).

George Roper (04/08/2009 at 09:36)

The truth is a lot of players want to have their cake and eat it too as can be seen with Lescott. If he wants to join then hand in a transfer request and stop being so spineless.

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