Everton defender Joleon Lescott will write to the club’s chairman Bill Kenwright to outline his reasons for wanting to join Premier League rivals Manchester City.
The England centre-back is the latest transfer target for Mark Hughes’ big spending club, who have already seen bids of £15m and £18m rejected by Everton.
The defender told Toffees’s boss David Moyes in a meeting at the club’s Finch Farm training base yesterday morning that he wants to leave Goodison Park for Eastlands, where he would double his £40,000-a-week salary.
Moyes, though, is determined to prevent a club he views as a rival for next season from strengthening at his expense.
On Monday, Moyes signed £2.5m Switzerland centre-back Philippe Senderos from Arsenal, but that deal was to provide cover for injured defender Phil Jagielka, not to prepare the way for Lescott’s departure.
City boss Hughes will renew his interest in Porto centre-back Bruno Alves if Lescott fails to force through a transfer.
Lescott missed Everton’s pre-season game at Coventry City on Sunday and will also sit out tonight’s friendly at Blackpool. Moyes, however, has insisted the defender’s absence is not connected to his desire to leave.
“Joleon picked up a hip injury while we were in America,” he said. “We don’t expect him to be fit for Tuesday but hopefully he can make it on Friday against Málaga.”
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