Lescott latest: Medical passed
According to Sky Sports, Joleon Lescott has passed his medical at Spire Hospital in Whalley Range. Photos of him in a light blue shirt on the official site could be appearing shortly…
Fee agreed for Joleon Lescott
City have confirmed that an agreement has been reached with Everton for the transfer of Joleon Lescott.
Sky Sports News have stated that the player has already completed part of his medical. If the remainder is completed tomorrow (Monday) and personal terms agreed, then the long running transfer could finally be concluded by the end of the day.
The fee has yet to be confirmed. Estimates vary from £22m to £24m, an undoubtedly huge sum for a player who is not an England regular. Mark Hughes will no doubt describe himself as “delighted” to have finally captured his first choice target for the left side of central defence.
Lescott can also provide cover for left-back. With Zabaleta and McGivern also appearing there in recent friendlies, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the departure of Javier Garrido before the close of the transfer window.
Speculation about the future of Richard Dunne will doubtless intensify despite his recent statements of being willing to fight for his place. Sunderland, Villa and Spurs are amongst those who have been linked with the skipper throughout the Summer and if the Irishman wants regular first team football, then he could be tempted to move.
Lescott meanwhile could be set to make his debut in the Carling Cup tie at Crystal Palace on Thursday.
Lescott latest: Transfer request rejected
Latest news from the Everton site says that Everton have rejected a formal transfer request from Joleon Lescott.
The player has subsequently submitted a written request to leave the Club which manager David Moyes immediately rejected.
“I have always said that we are not selling any players and that hasn’t changed,” said Moyes.
There’s little more the player can do now. It’s a big step for Lescott as I guess this would have waived any right he had to a loyalty bonus and risked his relationship with both the club and fans on Merseyside.
It’s not a surprise to hear Moyes reject the idea of selling his main central defender a few days before the start of the new season. It’s also hard not to feel some sympathy for the player, but I wouldn’t be surprised if City moved on to Upson or Distin with the new season only days away.
City set to sign Lescott, Upson and Distin?
Surely it can’t be true, but if you read this morning’s newspaper headlines you’d be forgiven for thinking we were about to do deals for each of the left-sided central defenders.
To add to the confusion, the stories come from three of the more reliable City writers. Ian Ladyman has an EXCLUSIVE in the Mail that we’re set to sign Lescott:
Sportsmail believes the transfer will be completed in the next 36 hours.
After privately declaring the move all but dead over the weekend, it is understood
City were given encouragement on Monday afternoon and are now hopeful of having the player in their line-up to face Blackburn.
David Hytner in The Guardian follows Daniel Taylor in believing a deal for Upson is on the cards:
Manchester City will encounter little resistance from West Ham United if they follow up their interest in Matthew Upson with a bid of around £15m.
Finally Ian Herbert, who recently followed City in South Africa, writes in The Independent:
Manchester City are ready to move to bring their former captain Sylvain Distin back to the club, as West Ham’s demands for Matthew Upson’s services are proving higher than the Premier League’s big spenders are willing to pay.
Just for good measure The Express has Joleon Lescott “considering handing in a written transfer request”.
If the Lescott deal really is back on, then that would clearly be Hughes’ preferred signing. However until we hear something from Everton to that effect then I’ll have my doubts.
Thirty year old Matthew Upson appears next in line, though Cook is only willing to pay £10m and West Ham are looking for £15m. Talk of City turning their attention to Distin could just be an attempt to lower West Ham’s asking price.
Personally I’d rather have Distin than Upson. He’s taller, quicker and better able to cover for an attacking full-back, which we have in Bridge. We might have to move quick for Distin as several other teams are also interested in the Frenchman.
There’s a lot of speculation that the signing of a new tall centre-half will mean the departure of Richard Dunne, which would certainly be ironic if we bring in Distin. For me our old central defensive ‘twin towers’ could be the best option for taking on the aerial assault at Blackburn. I’d hold 5′ 11″ Kolo Toure back for this one.
Sportsmail believes the transfer will be completed in the next 36 hours.
City bound: Joleon Lescott is on the verge of leaving Everton
After privately declaring the move all but dead over the weekend, it is understood
City were given encouragement on Monday afternoon and are now hopeful of having the player in their line-up to face Blackbur
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1205668/EXCLUSIVE-Manchester-City-boss-Mark-Hughes-closes-20m-deal-Joleon-Lescott.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0NrGYn8Md