Pellegrini Dismissive of Defender Leaving Manchester City in January

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has closed the door to Joleon Lescott leaving the club during the January transfer window despite reports claiming there are many clubs interesting in acquiring his services.

Tottenham and Newcastle have been linked with the centre-back recently while Lescott´s agent has also revealed Turkish side Besiktas are in discussions with representatives from the Etihad Stadium trying to convince them to release the defender on loan until the end of the season.

However, Pellegrini claims that Lescott remains a key player in his squad, especially considering that Martin Demichelis is currently injured, stressing that the England international is his only back-up for duo Vicent Kompany and Matija Nastasic.

Asking if any club has made an offer for the defender Pellegrini said: "Not for the moment. Joleon Lescott is a very important player for us."

However, Lescott´s contract at Manchester City expires at the end of the season and Pellegrini knows that selling him now is the only chance the club may get to recoup even a fraction of the £24m they paid Everton for him in 2009.

"I understand he finishes his contract in June here.

"We will see in the future, during the transfer window, what will happen. He is still here and he is a very useful player for our team." he added.

At the same time the Chilean rejected suggestions the centre half will leave on loan.

"At this moment, we are not considering it."

The former Everton defender has only featured in eight matches in the Premier League this season and, considering Kompany and Nastasic have endured spells out injured, it seems unlikely Pellegrini will let Lescott leave unless the club sign another centre-back.

But the Manchester City boss will send striker John Guidetti out on loan during this transfer window with four players ahead of the Swede in the striking pecking order.

"I think John must go on loan, he is coming back from a long injury for about 18 months.

Here we have (Edin) Dzeko, (Alvaro) Negredo, (Sergio) Aguero and (Stevan) Jovetic. Maybe he will not play as often as he needs so maybe it is best for him and the team."