There might be light at the end of the tunnel for Manchester City in their pursuit of Everton's talented Joleon Lescott with the Goodison club setting a price for their man.

It's probably a dangerous game to play if your opponents are Manchester City. But Everton officials have reportedly slapped a hefty price tag on their star defender in a bid to scare The Citizens off. Yet, for a club where money is seemingly no object, this may just prove foolish.

The former Wolves man is said to be available for £30million - which is double what the Eastlands outfit offered just last week. But if Hughes wants the England international badly enough then he will get the green light from City's wealthy Arab owners to pay Everton whatever the asking price is for the 26-year-old ace.

The move looks increasingly likely with Chelsea skipper John Terry set to stay at Stamford Bridge, despite being offered an astronomical wage in excess of £250,000 a week to join The Citizens.

Goodison Park chairman Bill Kenwright is also insistent on the Birmingham-born Lescott submitting a written transfer request if he does want to leave the Merseyside club. But this is a mere formality, and it seems that the move will take place just as quickly as City want it to take place.