Manchester City planning final bid for Everton's Joleon Lescott

By Administrator on Aug 14, 09 09:22 AM in Journalists

MARK HUGHES is refusing to give up on signing Joleon Lescott - but the Manchester City manager admits Everton now hold the initiative over the centre-back's future.

Lescott had a written transfer request rejected by David Moyes earlier this week, with the Goodison manager adamant he does not want to sell any of his squad during the transfer window.

City have already failed with offers of £15million and £18m for the defender, who has been tracked by the Eastlands outfit since the turn of the year.

It is believed City value Lescott at £20m and are reluctant to go above that figure having already spent more than £100m this summer.

City are expected to make a final bid for the 26-year-old in the coming days.

And although Hughes is still keen on Lescott, he accepts Everton hold the aces with City keen to open talks with their Goodison counterparts.

"We have made offers and shown interest, obviously that is seen by virtue of the bids we have put in," said Hughes. "But they have been rejected and Everton are fully within their rights to do that, we respect that.

"We are still trying to speak to the people who will ultimately make the decision over whether or not the deal continues.

"Those conversations are still to take place but how long they will still be active is open to debate.

"It comes down to the club themselves and if they feel they don't want to do a deal in terms of the players they have they have a right to do that, and we respect that, irrespective of the player himself or how he feels.

"I have stated we would like further strengthening to take place but if not we go with what we have got."

Meanwhile, on-loan striker Jo is winning his battle to be fit for tomorrow's Premier League opener against Arsenal.

The Brazilian, who enjoyed an impressive pre-season, turned his ankle in the 2-1 friendly defeat at Blackpool 11 days ago and missed the victory over Malaga last week.

But Jo has stepped up his rehabilitation and Moyes reckons the forward has an outside chance of making the visit of the Gunners.

"When Jo went over on his ankle, we didn't really think it was that bad and we hope that he is going to be okay for the weekend," said Moyes.

"He is back running now but is only doing straight line work. He's not twisting and turning yet but we hope to do that kind of work with him in the next couple of days."