Everton reject City Lescott bid

Everton have turned down a bid from Manchester City for defender Joleon Lescott, the Liverpool club confirmed on Friday.

Representatives of the big-spending Manchester club offered 15 million pounds (18 million euro) on Thursday for the 26-year-old England international but the deal was promptly rejected, 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,” Elstone said on the club’s website.

“(Team manager) 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,” he added.

Lescott has been linked with a possible move to Eastlands but this is the first time Moyes’s claim that none of his squad will be sold has been put to the test.

The rejection will dispel dreams by City boss Mark Hughes of conjuring up a magical defensive pair consisting of Lescott and Chelsea and England skipper John Terry.