Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Transfer news: Tottenham have not bid for Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott

Tim Sherwood denies Spurs have made move for the England international

Paul Hirst
Friday 03 January 2014 17:47 GMT
Comments
Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott has reportedly been told that he is free to leave Manchester City on loan for the remainder of the season
Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott has reportedly been told that he is free to leave Manchester City on loan for the remainder of the season (GETTY IMAGES)

Tim Sherwood has professed his admiration for Joleon Lescott, but denied having already held talks with the Tottenham hierarchy over the Manchester City defender - or any other potential transfer targets.

Lescott has been linked with a move away from Manchester City after falling down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium.

Tottenham and Besiktas have been mentioned as possible destinations for the centre-back, who wants regular first-team football to aid his remote chances of making the England World Cup squad.

When asked about stories linking Lescott with Spurs, manager Sherwood said: "He is a good player, but there are a lot of good players at different clubs. He is at Manchester City at the moment so I can't comment on that."

Having spent £107million in the summer, Tottenham are unwilling to shell out big fees again in January.

The squad at Sherwood's disposal is already huge and he is also committed to giving the youth players he looked after in the development squad a chance.

It is for that reason that he has not met with chairman Daniel Levy and technical director Franco Baldini to discuss any potential moves in the current window.

It seems only a big player at a knock-down price will be of appeal to the north London club.

"I have not sat down and spoke to (Levy and Baldini)," Sherwood said.

"I don't think we need players. We need to get the ones we have fit.

"If there is anyone who springs up who could really make us better - our 11 - then possibly we will go in.

"The club have notoriously backed their managers and I don't think it will be different with me. I really think we will be fine once we have anyone fit."

There has been more talk of departures than arrivals at Spurs.

Erik Lamela has struggled to adapt to the pace of the Barclays Premier League since his £30million move from Roma, but Sherwood looks unlikely to allow him to leave for Atletico Madrid, who reportedly want the player on loan.

"He has not mentioned (going out on loan) to me," Sherwood said of Lamela, who is expected to miss Saturday's game at Arsenal because of a thigh injury.

"He just needs to settle like a lot of the (new signings do).

"He needs time for me to recognise what he can do, what he can produce and when I get the comfort in him then he will play, but he is injured at the moment.

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in