City slap in Lescott bid - Report

Manchester City are reported to have made a £15million offer for Everton's England centre-back Joleon Lescott on Thursday.

In an apparent response to the diminishing possibility of taking John Terry from Chelsea, City are understood to have formally bid for Lescott.

Toffees boss David Moyes reiterated at a meeting of the club's shareholders this week that the defender was not for sale, but that has not deterred City.

The Guardian reports that Everton are expected to reject the bid in the knowledge that moneybags City will probably come back in with an improved offer.

Meanwhile, the Independent claim that the 26-year-old will be interested in a move to Eastlands and that he is higher on Hughes' shortlist of targets than Arsenal's Kolo Toure.

Whether or not the bid for Lescott signals the end of City's pursuit of Terry is unclear. One reading of the situation is that in bidding 'only' £15million for Lescott, City have indicated they consider him to be a back-up or partner for Terry rather than a direct alternative.