The 34-year-old defender is also reportedly wanted by Greek giants AEK Athens.
Serie A newcomers Pescara have emerged as surprise suitors for Aston Villa’s out-of-favour defender Joleon Lescott, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.
Lescott, 34, joined Villa from Midlands neighbours West Bromwich Albion last summer for an initial £1 million rising to £2 million with add-ons but proceeded to endure a miserable first season with the club he grew up supporting, enduring fierce criticism from fans for both his poor performances and off-field conduct.
The ex-Manchester City man initially caused controversy with his conduct during January’s 1-1 FA Cup draw at Wycombe Wanderers, when he and fellow substitute Brad Guzan were alleged to have sworn at travelling supporters who scolded them for having a spitting competition from the bench, before earning more unwanted headlines the following month after tweeting a photo of a £121,000 Mercedes in the wake of the club’s embarrassing 6-0 home defeat to Liverpool.
He subsequently insisted that the tweet was sent from his pocket by accident while he was driving, but the former England international then caused further outrage in April once Villa’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed after claiming that it felt like “a weight off the shoulders”.
Since then, the Birmingham-born centre-back has been deemed surplus to requirements under new manager Roberto Di Matteo and been told to find a new club before the summer transfer window closes.
He had been close to joining Scottish Premiership side Rangers last week after Villa agreed to subsidise a portion of his reported £35,000-per-week wages for the remaining 10 months of his current contract, but the veteran stopper ultimately pulled out of the move at the last minute because of “family reasons”.
Subsequent reports have named AEK Athens as a potential destination, but Di Marzio now claims that Pescara are deep in negotiations with Lescott and look set to beat the Greek giants to his signature.
The veteran defender is reportedly trying to reach an agreement with Villa over the early termination his contract and, if all goes through as planned, could sign a deal with the Italian side next week.
It is would certainly be an unusual move – especially after turning down Rangers only last week – but it would be an even bigger surprise if he was still with Villa once the transfer deadline passes.
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