Everton have received a formal bid of around £15m from Manchester City and have rejected the offer.
Everton chief executive Robert Elstone said:
“As a club, we have publicly stated – as recently as Wednesday night – that we do not intend selling any players. ”David Moyes’ primary focus is on building a squad so that we can continue to compete effectively in what is the most competitive league in world football.”
Lescott, who lives in the Manchester area, is believed to be interested in a move to a club with such vast wealth and ambitions.
Although Everton have just announced record turnover of approaching £80million for the recently completed season, they do have a growing debt with Kenwright making it plain that the only way they can compete with the giants of the game is to acquire major outside investment.
City will certainly be back with an increased bid, and an offer of wages for Lescott that are believed to treble his Everton deal.
A bid of over £20million will test Moyes’ resolve to the limit, giving him a £15million profit on the £5million he paid Wolves for the Birmingham-born defender in June 2006.
