Joleon Lescott tells Everton he wants to move to Manchester City

Joleon Lescott met Everton manager David Moyes on Monday to express his desire to move to Manchester City.

The England international stopped short of formally handing in a transfer request but he is expected to write to chairman Bill Kenwright in the coming days to outline his reasons for wanting to leave.

Moyes has already rejected two bids, worth £15 million and £18 million, from City for the former Wolves player and sources at Goodison Park have confirmed that the Scot told Lescott he would not be allowed to leave the club. The player, who lives in the Manchester area, will now have to put his request in writing if he is to force a transfer through.

City’s interest remains very much alive but the club are thought to have been waiting for a signal from the player that they should reignite their interest. Mark Hughes insisted last week that the deal was now “up to Everton, as he is their player” as both Moyes and Phil Neville, the Everton captain, questioned City’s conduct in their pursuit of Lescott.

Hughes has always been adamant he tries to conduct his transfer dealings “in the right way” and the club will not lodge a third bid, worth around £22 million, until Lescott has formalised his intentions. That is some way short of Everton’s initial £30 million asking price, but represents a healthy profit on a player bought from Wolves for just £5 million three years ago.

Everton are under no financial pressure to sell, despite funds being tight at Goodison Park, but Moyes knows such a sum would be invaluable as he tries to strengthen his squad. Everton are currently discussing terms with Arsenal with a view to completing a £6 million move for Philippe Senderos, the Swiss international, as a direct replacement for Lescott, while they have also been linked with Albin Ebondo, of Toulouse, and Miguel, of Valencia. Moyes may also use the money to increase his £13 million offer for Steven Defour, the Standard Liege captain.

Hughes has targeted Lescott since the start of the summer, making the Everton player and John Terry, his international colleague, his first-choice defensive targets, as well as returning as expected to sign Arsenal’s Kolo Toure, a player he first tried to sign in January. His arrival would take City’s summer spending to around £125 million.

Meanwhile, Hajduk Split confirmed the sale of striker Nikola Kalinic to Blackburn for £6 million. Sam Allardyce, the Ewood Park club’s manager, has also signed Chelsea striker Franco Di Santo on a season-long loan.