Lescott could make a shock transfer to the Nou Camp.
Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova is looking to strengthen in central defence this summer and Manchester City’s Joleon Lescott has emerged as a surprise target, according to Marca.
The Catalans have been linked with big money moves for Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels, Thiago Silva at Paris Saint-Germain and Lescott’s teammate Vincent Kompany in the past.
Yet a move for the Englishman to Barca would have seemed highly unlikely due to the fact that the 30-year-old has been out-of-favour at the Etihad Stadium this season.
Lescott started just 17 Premier League games for City in 2012/13, with new boy Matija Nastasic being picked over the England international several times after the Serbian’s £13.4m from Fiorentina in August 2012.
However, it seems that the experience that the centre-back would bring is an attractive prospect for Vilanova and the former Everton player has in fact featured 138 times for the Citizens since his £24.2m move from Goodison Park in 2009.
Barca are desperate to bring in a partner in central defence for Gerard Pique, after the four-time European champions were embarrassed in the Champions League semi-finals this year by a 7-0 aggregate loss to Bayern Munich.
The lack of form and fitness of 35-year-old club captain Carles Puyol has been a concern for the club, as replacements Marc Bartra, Javier Mascherano and Adriano have failed to fill the gap.
Bartra is expected to go out on-loan next season so the youngster can gain some valuable experience, whilst Mascherano and Adriano are essentially being played out of position in the middle of defence.
Therefore Lescott could be the perfect man to come into the team and sit alongside Pique as a rock at the back of an otherwise flamboyant Barca side.
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