Source: SKY_Sports
City step up Lescott chase
Manchester City are stepping up their pursuit of Everton defender Joleon Lescott, skysports.com understands.
City boss Mark Hughes is believed to have made the England international one of his top transfer targets as he looks to build a side capable of challenging for honours.
Lescott has established himself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League since his arrival from Wolves in the summer of 2006 and is now a regular in Fabio Capello's England squad.
Everton are keen to keep hold of the versatile defender and have warned City off the 26-year-old by placing a massive price-tag in the region of £20million on his head.
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon al Mubarak has admitted the club will not be held to ransom over their transfer targets and should they be priced out of a move for Lescott the club could switch their attentions to Arsenal ace Kolo Toure.
Toure, who has one-year left on his contract at Arsenal, has been a long-term target for City and was linked with a move to Eastlands in January.
City could rekindle their interest in Toure if they decide he would be a more viable option than Lescott.
Arsenal would be loath to lose Toure, but could decide to cash-in on him if City make a suitable offer.
