Chelsea make Joleon Lescott their second choice if David Luiz not landed

19 January 2011 23:06
Wanted: Joleon Lescott could be off-loaded by Manchester City if they receive a good price from Chelsea[LNB] Chelsea have earmarked Manchester City's Joleon Lescott as an alternative if they fail to prise David Luiz from Benfica.[LNB]The Premier League champions are determined to bring in a centre half and have so far made bids of £17m and £21m plus Paulo Ferreira for 23-year-old Luiz yet Benfica insist they want at least £26m or the deal is off.[LNB]Manchester City offered a similar amount last season but still failed to land the Brazilian as Benfica demanded £35m and Chelsea are wary of being dragged into a saga should they match the demands. [LNB]However, owner Roman Abramovich has long been aware of the qualities Luiz could bring to his ailing squad and is eager to give it one last shot.[LNB]Carlo Ancelotti has drawn up a shortlist of five possible centre halves which is also understood to include Wolfsburg's Simon Kjaer, Bolton's Gary Cahill and Lazio's Stefan Radu.[LNB]However, left-sided Lescott fits the profile of what they want should a deal for Luiz fail.[LNB]Chelsea would only want to offer around £8.5million for the 28-year-old England international as they are wary of his knee problems. [LNB]City would want more for a player they spent £22m on barely 18 months ago but are keen to start recouping some hard cash for their fringe players.[LNB]Kjaer, 21, only moved to Wolfsburg last July for £11m but has had a difficult season.[LNB] Chelsea ready to splash up to £25m to secure the services of Benfica's LuizLack of experienced players is making me blue: Drogba admits Ballack, Cole, Deco, Carvalho and Belletti are all missedIvanovic on the brink of new four-year deal to stay at ChelseaBosingwa staying at Chelsea after 12 month extension wards off AC Milan interest[LNB]  Explore more:People: Gary Cahill, Joleon Lescott, Roman Abramovich, Carlo Ancelotti Places: United Kingdom

Source: Daily_Mail