Manchester City have agreed a fee with West Ham United over the sale of central defender Joleon Lescott.
The defender has six months left on his current deal at the Etihad stadium, and has struggled to gain a first team spot at City, but he had recently formed a superb partnership with Vincent Kompany.
However, there may be a stumbling block to the move, with City reluctant to sell defender until after January 20th, putting the Hammers in a catch 22 situation.
Lescott wants to secure regular first-team football as he battles for a place in England’s squad for the World Cup in Brazil.
West Ham are believed to have agreed a deal with City a week ago matching Lescott’s wages of £90,000 a week for the rest of this campaign and then agreeing to pay the central defender £70,000 a week for another three years even if they are relegated.
It is still unclear weather the 31 year old Birmingham born defender wants to be involved in a relegation battle with the Hammers, as West Ham have struggled ffor form this season.
West Ham’s commitment of more than £12 million in wages for Lescott is brave given the very real prospect the club could go down this season.
The Hammers are down to the bare bones defence wise, with James Collins and Ravzan Rat both out with injuries.
Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United have also been interested in the central defender, however, MLS clubs are also interested in the veteran.
By Ben Reardon
@BenReardon1
