Source: Telegraph
Manchester City still keen on Everton's Joleon Lescott
Everton manager David Moyes has insisted that the England international will not be leaving Goodison Park during this transfer window after rejecting the 26-year-old's written transfer request earlier this week.
City have so far failed with bids of £15m and £19m for the former Wolves centre-half and the Eastlands club are reluctant to offer more than £20m for the player.
But despite Moyes's firm insistence that Lescott will not be sold, City manager Hughes has confirmed that he is still keen to sign the left-sided defender.
Hughes said: "We are still trying to speak to the people who will ultimately decide whether a deal goes ahead or not.
"How long that will be the case remains to be seen because it will come down to the club (Everton).
"If they don't want to do a deal, then they are well within their rights and we would have to respect that."
Although Everton are bracing themselves for a third bid from City, Hughes insists that nothing has changed following his rejected £19m bid earlier this month.
He said: "We made the offer and showed our intent, but there has been no change since then.
"Everton are fully wi thin their rights to reject our offer, but it is clear that we are looking to strengthen our defensive options.
"But for that to happen, people need to be in a position to discuss the situation and move it forward. That hasn't happened yet."
Emmanuel Adebayor is a doubt for City's Premier League opener at Blackburn on Saturday after sustaining a slight groin injury while on international duty with Togo.
But Craig Bellamy is expected to be fit to face his former club after controversially missing Wales's defeat against Montenegro with a knee injury.
Hughes said: "Craig has had some good sessions this week and come through them OK.
"There is a world of difference between light training and an international fixture, so we have protected him a bit."
