Source: Telegraph
Manchester City target Sebastian Bassong
Mark Hughes, the City manager, has seen two bids, worth £15 and £18 million, rejected by the Goodison Park side for the England international, his first-choice defensive target.
Sources at Eastlands believe Lescott, who is thought to be keen to complete a move, may now need to hand in a transfer request to break the deadlock.
City have maintained throughout the summer that, despite the wealth that has enabled Hughes to spend more than £100 million revitalising his squad, they will not be held to ransom by selling clubs and are prepared to shift their attentions in order to avoid paying extortionate fees. With the start of the season less than two weeks away, they are likely to examine alternatives should Everton continue to resist.
Bassong, one of the few players to emerge from last season's cataclysm on Tyneside with any credit, is thought to be one such alternative. Despite their relegation and a need to cut their wage bill as they adjust to the realities of life in the second tier, Newcastle are under no pressure to sell Bassong, who is not one of the club's higher earners following his £500,000 move from Metz last summer.
Sources at St James's Park yesterday claimed they had rejected a £10 million bid from Tottenham for the Cameroonian international, although Spurs manager Harry Redknapp later denied making any offer. Several Premier League clubs are believed to be tracking Bassong, who is thought to be keen to continue his career in the top flight.
While City are among his suitors, they have also been linked with moves for Chelsea's Brazilian defender Alex, as well as Roma centre back Philippe Mexes, should they fail to land Lescott. Hughes is also thought to be close to landing the Leeds midfielder Fabian Delph for a fee in the region of £8 million.
