Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott targets new deal

30 August 2013 09:02

Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott is keen to stay at the Etihad Stadium and secure a new contract.

The England international is in the final year of his present deal and his future has been the subject of speculation.

The 30-year-old fell down the pecking order under former manager Roberto Mancini last season and there have been suggestions he could move on to further his international ambitions, particularly in a World Cup year.

But Lescott himself has given no hint that he wants to leave and, after starting City's first two matches of the season, wants to prove himself to new boss Manuel Pellegrini.

Lescott told City: "I have expressed a number of times that nothing more would please me than to sign an extension.

"If that negotiating ever happens I will be there with my pen ready to sign."

Lescott formed a formidable central defensive partnership with Vincent Kompany in City's title-winning 2011-12 season.

Last year the arrival of new signing Matija Nastasic saw him supplanted as first choice while Kolo Toure - who has since left for Liverpool - was also being preferred to him by the end of the campaign.

Injuries to Kompany and Nastasic at the start of this term have seen Lescott given a chance by Pellegrini but there are suggestions the club want to sign a new centre-back.

Atletico Madrid's Martin Demichelis has been strongly linked with a move to City ahead of next week's transfer deadline.

Source: PA