DISGUSTING; Moyes slams City pursuit of Lescott: I make decisions at this club, there's no way I'll sell him: Lescott will not be sold this summer.

Byline: IAN DOYLE

DAVID MOYES has slammed Manchester City's "disgusting" pursuit of Joleon Lescott and reiterated there is "no chance" of the centre-back leaving during the transfer window.

Having grown tired of City's behaviour in recent weeks, Moyes yesterday launched a vicious broadside at the Eastlands outfit over their long-running attempt to buy Lescott.

City manager Mark Hughes suggested on Thursday that his club "are talking to the people at Everton that ultimately make the decisions" over the transfer.

That prompted a furious response from Moyes, who says he makes the football decisions at Goodison and has had no contact whatsoever from anyone at City.

City have already failed in offers of pounds 15m and pounds 18m, and are expected to come back with a final offer in the region of pounds 20m in the coming days.

But an unhappy Moyes has warned Hughes he would be wasting his time, Continued on Page 30

From Back Page particularly because of the manner in which they have conducted themselves.

"I look back and see how Real Madrid did their business with Manchester United over Ronaldo," said Moyes. "It was done at the end of the season, and it was done quickly to allow United to buy if they wanted to do so.

"We cannot be getting offers a week or two to go before the end of the deadline. And the offers they made shows that we value Joleon Lescott far higher than they do.

"Most clubs will have a price for a player, Manchester United had one for Ronaldo and the business was done in the right way.

"There is not a chance we will sell this close to the end of the window, the offers were not big enough. We think the world of him, as a centre-half and a left-back."

Moyes added: "The dialogue has not taken place with Manchester City and Everton in the way that it is said to be. If it was, the dialogue would come to me. There has been no contact with me. I'm the person here who makes the decisions, I'm in control of Everton .

Joleon Lescott "The way it has been handled is disgusting and all it has done is disrupted our club and made it very difficult for us. It has undoubtedly clouded the start of our season."

Moyes revealed that City had twice spoken to Everton chairman Bill Kenwright over signing Lescott but had received no encouragement.

"(City chief exexutive) Garry Cook has had one conversation with Bill. (City football administrator) Brian Marwood has had one conversation with Bill, so I don't know who the ongoing conversations are supposed to be with unless Manchester City are talking to someone they shouldn't be.

"I would be more than happy if they go to Bill again. I would be delighted. He is totally behind me."

And of suggestions City may have been in contact with Lescott or his representatives, Moyes added: "If that's the case, then it is breach of contract."

But Moyes accepts the saga has affected the centre-back, and said: "Joleon has been distracted, he is in turmoil with the situation and you can see how things have gone."

CAPTION(S):

David Moyes (main) is furious at the manner City's Mark Hughes (far left) and Garry Cook (middle) have chased Joleon Lescott (left) this summer