Sunderland boss David Moyes has dismissed suggestions he might be interested in signing Joleon Lescott from Aston Villa, after the defender's switch to Rangers collapsed, saying he has never been tracking his former charge this summer.

Villa are desperate to offload Lescott this summer and are willing to allow him to leave the club without a fee, despite the centre-back still having 12 months left on his contract.
 



Indeed, Villa were even willing to pay off part of his final year to smooth the passage to Rangers, but Lescott could not agree personal terms with the Scottish giants.

Moyes admits he is a fan of Lescott, but says the defender will not be heading to Sunderland as he is not needed.
 


The former Everton boss told a press conference today: "I know him very well.

relatedNewsStory

"Joleon was great for me at Everton and he went on to have a great career.

"But no, we were never in there [for him].

"We bought a left-footed centre-back, so we didn't need another one."

It remains to be seen where Lescott ends up this summer, but he has now returned to Aston Villa after his switch to Rangers fell through.

Sunderland could yet lose a centre-back before the transfer window closes as Lamine Kone has refused to consider a contract extension, with an offer from Everton for the former Lorient man on the table.