Everton have confirmed they are in talks with Arsenal over the £6 million signing of Swiss international centre-back Philippe Senderos as they begin to prepare for life without Joleon Lescott.
The Goodison Park club’s chairman, Bill Kenwright, this morning revealed talks are “ongoing” between the two clubs, though contrary to reports in Switzerland, “nothing has been concluded”.
Senderos, who spent last year on loan at AC Milan, is surplus to requirements at the Emirates after the arrival of the Belgian international Thomas Vermaelen and thanks to the emergence of John Djourou.
Senderos would be a direct replacement for Lescott, who yesterday informed manager David Moyes of his desire to move to Manchester City.
The player is expected to write to Kenwright this week to explain his reasons for wishing to bring his three-year spell on Merseyside to an end, though he has, so far, stopped short of handing in a formal transfer request.
Lescott may be forced to do so, though, thanks to Moyes’s unwillingness to part with a player who has developed from a Championship-level hopeful to England international regular under his guidance.
It is believed Moyes informed the player yesterday that he would not be allowed to leave.
City, who have already had two bids, worth £15 million and £18 million, turned down by Everton, will wait until the player has formalised his intentions before returning with a third bid.
Sources at Eastlands have confirmed that Mark Hughes’s interest in the player is “still alive” but admit they are waiting to see how the dispute between player and club resolves itself before acting.
Should Everton refuse to allow Lescott his move, Hughes is likely to switch his attentions to Roma defender Philippe Mexes or Chelsea’s Brazilian international centre-back Alex.
Moyes, though, may find the prospect of around £22 million, the amount City are prepared to offer, too good to turn down for a player who wishes to leave.
As well as Senderos, the Scot has been offered the versatile Toulouse defender Albin Ebondo and is thought to be tracking Standard Liege midfielder Steven Defour - a target for Real Madrid and Liverpool - as well as Swedish U21 international Rasmus Elm.
Sourec: Telegraph
