Everton turn down City bid for Lescott

Everton confirmed on Thursday that they have rejected Manchester City’s 18 million pounds bid to sign England defender Joleon Lescott.

City boss Mark Hughes wants to use Lescott alongside new signing Kolo Toure, who joined from Arsenal on Wednesday, but Everton manager David Moyes is determined to hang onto his best centre-back and immediately snubbed the approach.

Earlier in the close season, Hughes had a 15 million pounds bid for Lescott rejected and it may take an offer of over 25 million pounds to persuade Moyes to sell.

An Everton statement read: “We can confirm we have received an offer of 18 million pounds for Joleon Lescott from Manchester City and that offer has been rejected outright.”

It has been reported that former Wolverhampton star Lescott, who lives in the Manchester area, may be interested in hearing City’s plans for him.

But Everton, who are currently on tour in America, have no intention of letting him leave without a fight.

Hughes, speaking on Thursday at Toure’s official unveiling, refused to rule out a third bid for Lescott.

“My understanding is that we’ve already done that (made a second bid) and by all accounts Everton have rejected that. We’ll wait and see,” Hughes said.

“We have a list of Category A players of the type that will enable us to be successful in the future. John Terry was on that list and Kolo very much so.

“We’re progressing nicely. The business we’ve already done is exceptional. We’re really pleased with the quality we’ve been able to bring in.

“Obviously there’s still a way to go in the transfer window and we’ll look at opportunities and see what we can bring in.

“They’ll have to be top-quality players to improve us. There’s always deals to be made towards the end of the window that just present themselves and are right for the club at that time.”