FOOTBALL IN BRIEF
Toffees reject £18m Lescott bid
EVERTON have rejected an improved £18m offer from Manchester City for defender Joleon Lescott.
The Goodison Park club confirmed City had upped their initial £15m bid for the England defender, but Toffees boss David Moyes has said no player will leave the club without his approval.
City boss Mark Hughes wants Lescott to link up with Kolo Toure, who was formally unveiled at Eastlands yesterday after completing a £14m move from Arsenal. But he was remaining tight-lipped yesterday on suggestions he was planning a third bid for Lescott.
Elano completes Turkey move
BRAZIL international Elano has escaped the Manchester City revolution and signed for Turkish side Galatasaray.
Elano, 28, scored 18 goals in 80 games for City since signing in an £8m move from Shakhtar Donestk in 2007, but found himself on the fringes of the first team under boss Mark Hughes.
Alonso slaps in transfer request
REAL MADRID target Xabi Alonso has reportedly handed in a transfer request at Liverpool.
The Spaniard is keen to return to his homeland to link up with big-spending Real, who are now preparing to finalise their public pursuit of the 27-year-old Anfield favourite with a £25m bid.