Lescott is uncertain of his future at the Etihad.
Manchester City centre-back Joleon Lescott is seeking talks with new manager Manuel Pellergini about his future at the club with the Englishman uncertain about his starting position, according to the Daily Star.
Barcelona have kept tabs on the 30-year-old in the past as the Catalans look to sure up their own defence, but with City being heavily linked with Real Madrid’s Pepe, Lescott wants confirmation of his importance to the team or will move on.
The former Everton man is hoping to feature regularly for England at the 2014 World Cup next summer – if the nation qualifies – and Lescott believes he has to be playing every week to earn that spot.
However, with Pepe possibly on his way this would not be the case at the Etihad Stadium, as the defender has already lost his place in the side on several occasions to youngster Matija Nastasic since his arrival from Fiorentina for £13.4m on transfer deadline day last summer.
With Nastasic often being preferred as Vincent Kompany’s defensive partner at the back, Lescott only managed to start 17 Premier League matches – a drop from 30 in the previous campaign.
The Englishman also has 12 months remaining on his current deal at Eastlands meaning City would be open to the idea of cashing in on the centre-back now, rather than face losing him for nothing in a year’s time.
If this were the case then there is bound to be a queue of potential suitors – even if Barca are not one – as Lescott has bags of experience having played in the Champions League and earning 26 caps for England.
COMMENTS