Source: Telegraph
Everton put down Joleon Lescott's absence from friendly to hip injury
His removal from the starting line-up prompted suggestions that Manchester City had made a third attempt to sign the England defender, following bids worth £15 million and £18m. [LNB]Everton. who swiftly rejected both bids, said Lescott missed the friendly, which ended 2-2, with a hip injury which will also keep him out of Tuesday's match at Blackpool. [LNB] Related ArticlesMoyes: City show lack of respect'Arsenal failed to replace big names'Sport on televisionPremier League Transfer TalkBarnsley 1 Manchester City 1Manchester City prepared to play waiting game for John Terry and Joleon LescottBut there is no doubting Everton's exasperation with the ongoing talk surrounding the player and the way City have tried to lure the star. [LNB]Everton captain Phil Neville criticised City last week for not "getting the message" that Everton wished to keep Lescott, while manger David Moyes claimed that he tries to go about his transfer dealings "a different way". [LNB]"I've always tried to contact the managers and show respect to them in terms of transfers, and no matter how much money I might have to spend I would always want to keep that up," he added. [LNB]City did not wish to be drawn on those comments but the club have always insisted they go about their business "the right way," despite their disproportionate advantage in the transfer market thanks to the oil billions pumped into the club by the Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment vehicle for Sheikh Mansour. [LNB]They remain interested in Lescott, despite Everton's defiant stance, but sources at Eastlands privately acknowledge that the move is now dependent on the player. It has been suggested that Lescott may have to hand in a formal transfer request. [LNB]Lescott is thought to be tempted by the prospect of joining City. He lives in the Manchester area and could expect to at least double his £30,000-a-week wages by moving to Eastlands, where he might be joined by Leeds midfielder Fabian Delph. [LNB]Meanwhile, reports in France suggest Albin Ebondo, the versatile Toulouse defender, has been identified by the Moyes as a potential replacement should Lescott's leave, while he is also thought to be lining up a £5 million bid for the Valencia right-back Miguel. [LNB]
