Photo by Greig Cowie/ISIPhotos.com
By RYAN TOLMICH
The Portland Timbers have reportedly offered a $2 million deal to former Manchester City centerback and current free agent Joleon Lescott.
The 31-year-old English defender is not currently under contract after being released by City at the conclusion of their 2013-14 title winning campaign. Lescott played in eight Premier League games and 22 total Manchester City contests this past season.
The Timbers’ reported interest in Lescott has been matched by Premier League teams Queens Park Rangers and West Ham United as well as Turkey’s Galatasaray, with each club having had talks with the player in recent weeks. Lescott has reportedly already turned down an offer from Galatasaray while talks have stalled with QPR and West Ham due to salary demands.
In addition to his time at City, Lescott has played for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton. He has been capped 26 times by the England and has scored one international goal.
The addition of Lescott would boost the Timbers’ centerback corps, address a major weakness, and come after the club traded long-time defensive mainstay Futty Danso on Monday. The Timbers have conceded 24 goals this season, which is third worst in MLS behind the Houston Dynamo and Chivas USA.
News of the Timbers being interested in Lescott was initially reported by ESPN’s Taylor Twellman.
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What do you think of a potential Lescott addition to the Timbers? Would he help solve their defensive problems? Think he would have to go through an adjustment period in MLS first?
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