City in for Lescott
- Thread starter Boss
- Start date
try watching football a little harderEverton reject Joleon Lescott's transfer request
Manchester City have suffered a major setback in their bid to sign Joleon Lescott after Everton manager David Moyes rejected a transfer request by the England defender.
Lescott, 27, submitted his request to leave earlier today (Tues), but Moyes has dismissed out of hand the prospect of selling the former Wolves defender.
City are understood to be ready to make a final offer of £22m for the player following Lescott's decision to go public on his desire to leave Goodison Park for Eastlands.
But Moyes insists that Lescott, currently in Holland ahead of England's friendly in Amsterdam on Wednesday, will not be leaving the Merseyside club.
Moyes said: "Joleon Lescott put in a written transfer request this morning which I immediately rejected.
"We will continue to work with him as we appreciate his many qualities as a player. I have said all along that I have no intention of selling my best players. Joleon is simply not for sale."
City have made offers of £15m and £19m for Lescott already this summer after manager Mark Hughes identified the versatile defender as the ideal man to play at centre-half and also act as cover for Wayne Bridge at full-back.
Having believed that the prospects of signing Lescott were dead on Monday morning, City were given encouragement by sources unrelated to Everton during the day that a deal might yet be possible.
But Everton have maintained throughout the transfer saga that they will not sell and Moyes's rapid rejection of Lescott's transfer request underlines his determination to win out.
With Phil Jagielka set to be sidelined until December with a cruciate knee ligament injury, Moyes is reluctant to weaken his defensive options by selling Lescott.
And City are now preparing to shift their sights elsewhere, with West Ham defender Matthew Upson and Portsmouth's Sylvain Distin now set to be subject of bids before the season opener against Blackburn at Ewood Park on Saturday.
Admire Moyes tough stance.But surely you can't hang on to a player that no longer wants to be there.
Manchester City have suffered a major setback in their bid to sign Joleon Lescott after Everton manager David Moyes rejected a transfer request by the England defender.
Lescott, 27, submitted his request to leave earlier today (Tues), but Moyes has dismissed out of hand the prospect of selling the former Wolves defender.
City are understood to be ready to make a final offer of £22m for the player following Lescott's decision to go public on his desire to leave Goodison Park for Eastlands.
But Moyes insists that Lescott, currently in Holland ahead of England's friendly in Amsterdam on Wednesday, will not be leaving the Merseyside club.
Moyes said: "Joleon Lescott put in a written transfer request this morning which I immediately rejected.
"We will continue to work with him as we appreciate his many qualities as a player. I have said all along that I have no intention of selling my best players. Joleon is simply not for sale."
City have made offers of £15m and £19m for Lescott already this summer after manager Mark Hughes identified the versatile defender as the ideal man to play at centre-half and also act as cover for Wayne Bridge at full-back.
Having believed that the prospects of signing Lescott were dead on Monday morning, City were given encouragement by sources unrelated to Everton during the day that a deal might yet be possible.
But Everton have maintained throughout the transfer saga that they will not sell and Moyes's rapid rejection of Lescott's transfer request underlines his determination to win out.
With Phil Jagielka set to be sidelined until December with a cruciate knee ligament injury, Moyes is reluctant to weaken his defensive options by selling Lescott.
And City are now preparing to shift their sights elsewhere, with West Ham defender Matthew Upson and Portsmouth's Sylvain Distin now set to be subject of bids before the season opener against Blackburn at Ewood Park on Saturday.
Admire Moyes tough stance.But surely you can't hang on to a player that no longer wants to be there.
Whats his contract status like? able to buy it out?
The mad scramble for CBs hots up with not that many good ones available.
Man. City desperate to get him. Everton needing a replacement pronto if he goes. Villa desperate for a good CB (or two) also. Liverpool also in the market. And Arsenal probably needing a CB even if they don't go for one due to cash constraints or Wenger's stubborness.
I have a feeling that Spurs move for Bassong for 8m was timely and will prove to be an absolute bargain when all the dust has settled.
Man. City desperate to get him. Everton needing a replacement pronto if he goes. Villa desperate for a good CB (or two) also. Liverpool also in the market. And Arsenal probably needing a CB even if they don't go for one due to cash constraints or Wenger's stubborness.
I have a feeling that Spurs move for Bassong for 8m was timely and will prove to be an absolute bargain when all the dust has settled.
I agree
Assou-Ekotto/Bale-Bassong/Woodgate-King/Dawson/Corluka-Hutton/Corluka/Naughton/Chimbonda
Looks a very solid pool of defenders there you've got Glaston. Barring cockups like what has happened in seasons past, you could have a good run this season.
Glaston mate, you've been known to jinx your team, so lets see what happens with that prediction.
I want Spurs to finish in the top 4 (ahead of arsenal or liverpool), so please do not predict that you guys will finish high because you have this ability to jinx your own team, just see what happens. If you finish higher than you predict then it's good news and if it's not so high, people can't brand you a "muppet", win-win. For the love of God, just don't jinx yourself.
Agreed, if Bassong settles in well £8m could turn out to be a very good business for you.
There is no chance in hell though Lescott is worth this kind of money. From a financial point of view I bet Moyes would have no problem to sell, but where is the replacement going to come from? £22m is a lot for a centre-back, even in today's market.
It's funny to see though how good we are sorted in this particular department. Three top-class centre-backs in Rio, Vidic and Evans with Brown, O'Shea and Cathcart ready to step in if there is any need to do so. And another young product in Shawcross is linked with a move to Liverpool...
City are idiots for not bidding for carvalho.
Is he definitely going to be allowed to play, as surely it would have been more timely to sign him after Newcastle's league game so he definitely wasn't suspended for your first game
I haven't made any league predictions for Spurs so far. I only remarked (above) that Bassong will likely prove a bargain given the prevailing supply-and-demand situation for CBs.
He's young, quick, strong, with potential to improve, was voted as Newcastle's best player last season (even if that's not saying much) and now has the chance to play and train with - and learn from - the likes of Woodgate and King. As a cover CB alongside Dawson I don't think we could have done any better for the money involved and think Harry has made an astute move on this one. However, as always the proof will be in the pudding.
I don't believe in jinxes btw and before the season kicks off I will make a prediction about Spurs in the league later this week.
You're right that it's easier to keep your head down and make conservative predictions, rather than sticking your neck out and saying what you really think. But I'll do the latter anyhow.
He is available for selection this weekend. Spurs didn't put in the paperwork with the FA until after his 2-game ban with Newcastle had expired.
Why isn't anyone bidding for Cahill?
If City pay anything over 20m for Joleon Lescott then they're a joke. I bet even Moyes is pissing himself at how much they're offering for him. He just knows he won't find anyone better for the money this year.
I'm still surprised City didn't go for Carvalho...
He cut them off before they tried.
Called them a small club and all that......
Called them a small club and all that......
You'd still have thought they'd have shamelessly offered to double his wages or something.. Because that's what they are. Shameless. 'No' just doesn't mean no to them anymore..
Bruno Alves could be bought for that price but I'd imagine he's got bigger fish to fry than Everton.
they spent 17 million on de jong tho who was out of contract this summer....
city's money makes transfer fees insignificant
fair dues to Moyes..... still he should take their hand off if they're offering 20millionShowed Hughes up a bit with the first part I think.
I bet he's just holding out for more money.
Have to admit I like Moyes.
Same here. Whether in the long run he shows he's capabale of stepping up to the next level of management or not, I think he's always done a great job with Everton and deserves a lot of credit for that.
Personally I hope they hang onto Lescott. Selling one of their better players to a team in direct competition isn't the best idea, and he'll be especially important with Jagielka still out. Still, £20mil would be a great bit of buisness. I think if Jagielka was fit Moyes would take it.
Hughes to maintain Lescott pursuit
Mark Hughes can understand David Moyes' reaction but he has no intention of abandoning his interest in Joleon Lescott.
The Manchester City boss awoke to news of Moyes' stinging attack on the Blues' pursuit of Lescott, who has had a transfer request turned down after bids of £15million and £18million failed to prise him away from Goodison Park.
"I have said before when a deal has run its course we would be prepared to walk away. At this moment in time, we are still to arrive at that position. Our interest is not finished yet," said Hughes.
"The headlines were quite predictable. I am not surprised David feels a bit aggrieved with the situation, you always are when a big club comes along trying to acquire one of your better players.
"You never want them to leave but we feel we are doing things the right way and through the proper channels."
In his withering attack, Moyes suggested instead of a vague reference to the "men who make the decisions at Everton" Hughes should have phoned the Scot direct.
"I could pick up the phone and ring David very easily. I would ask him whether I could have his player, he would say no and I would have to put the telephone down. What would be the point of that?" he said.
"The thing is we haven't put this into the public domain. Everton did that on their website."
New-boy Emmmanuel Adebayor and Stephen Ireland gave Manchester City an opening-day 2-0 win at Blackburn and Rovers boss Sam Allardyce was disappointed with his side's performance.
"We are disappointed to get nothing out of the game," he said. "Shay Given made a number of really top class saves but it wasn't our day."
Mark Hughes can understand David Moyes' reaction but he has no intention of abandoning his interest in Joleon Lescott.
The Manchester City boss awoke to news of Moyes' stinging attack on the Blues' pursuit of Lescott, who has had a transfer request turned down after bids of £15million and £18million failed to prise him away from Goodison Park.
"I have said before when a deal has run its course we would be prepared to walk away. At this moment in time, we are still to arrive at that position. Our interest is not finished yet," said Hughes.
"The headlines were quite predictable. I am not surprised David feels a bit aggrieved with the situation, you always are when a big club comes along trying to acquire one of your better players.
"You never want them to leave but we feel we are doing things the right way and through the proper channels."
In his withering attack, Moyes suggested instead of a vague reference to the "men who make the decisions at Everton" Hughes should have phoned the Scot direct.
"I could pick up the phone and ring David very easily. I would ask him whether I could have his player, he would say no and I would have to put the telephone down. What would be the point of that?" he said.
"The thing is we haven't put this into the public domain. Everton did that on their website."
New-boy Emmmanuel Adebayor and Stephen Ireland gave Manchester City an opening-day 2-0 win at Blackburn and Rovers boss Sam Allardyce was disappointed with his side's performance.
"We are disappointed to get nothing out of the game," he said. "Shay Given made a number of really top class saves but it wasn't our day."
Personally I'm hoping he gets rid of Lescott for about 30 million + and re-invests it in his squad. His side looks like it needs reinforcements.
If this whole business with City reached this point 3-4 weeks earlier, I'd agree, but at this late point of the window, and with the season now under way, it would be a foolish move by Moyes, imo.
Next summer possibly.
If they spend it well they could finish higher than CIty, that said it will be hard to get all good buys at this late juncture. Lescott was fecking shit yesterday too.
After what Arsenal did to them I doubt he can afford that tbh. Especially since Moyes is very wise at spending funds. While Lescott was pure garbage yesterday, on the back of a transfer request.
IMO a defender like a Huth (or someone better) and some midfielders to cover for the lack of creativity when Arteta is missing would do nicely.
Lescott Dropped Link
Dropped him from their squad for their Europa League qualifying game. And also, heard reports that he's been training by himself
Dropped him from their squad for their Europa League qualifying game. And also, heard reports that he's been training by himself
Looks like he's off then, which is a damn shame for Everton.
I hope Everton recieve Onouha or Dunne + good cash in any proposed deal. What is the likelyhood of that actually happening? I suppose Yobo's actually quite a decent player, but whilst Jagielka's out they're a bit thin down back. Maybe it's time for one of those youngsters to step up.
Meanwhile I wonder if Hughes realises that you can't actually fit 54 into 11.
I hope Everton recieve Onouha or Dunne + good cash in any proposed deal. What is the likelyhood of that actually happening? I suppose Yobo's actually quite a decent player, but whilst Jagielka's out they're a bit thin down back. Maybe it's time for one of those youngsters to step up.
Meanwhile I wonder if Hughes realises that you can't actually fit 54 into 11.
His head has been turned.
Moyes should get rid of him for the highest price possible. He is becoming a poisonous influence at the club and it will only get worse if he stays. They got a thrashing against Arsenal and their season may stall at the starting line if they dont take action soon. Lescott can be replaced and at his age they could get enough money to buy some quality replacements.
Moyes should get rid of him for the highest price possible. He is becoming a poisonous influence at the club and it will only get worse if he stays. They got a thrashing against Arsenal and their season may stall at the starting line if they dont take action soon. Lescott can be replaced and at his age they could get enough money to buy some quality replacements.
They were at home v Arsenal RB
Has i said i admire Moyes tough stance but it's only a matter of time before he joins the shitty gravy train.
If this story is true, and if 24m is the actual price, City have well overpaid for him. No surprise though.
Lescott is an ingrateful bugger. Everton (i) saved his career from a ceratin eternal time of playing the the Championship/ Div 1/ Div 2 & (ii) made him an England interntaional and (iii) made him rich. This is how he pays Moyes back. cnut
he is .. by giving him 24m to spend
Suppose they'll be signing Sanderos now, good luck to him.
Would hope they get Dunne or Onouha too.
Would hope they get Dunne or Onouha too.
£24 million is about double his worth.
Now I think about it Moyes has really bled them dry... I mean we only got a few million more for Adebayor.
Fair play Moyes.
Fair play Moyes.