BLACKBURN, England: Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has refused to back down in his growing war of words with Everton counterpart David Moyes over the attempted signing of England defender Joleon Lescott.
All the indications are that City, now one of the wealthiest clubs in the Premier League, will return with an improved bid next week.
City have failed with three official offers for Lescott, earning the contempt of Moyes in the process with the Everton boss launching a vitriolic verbal attack on Hughes on the eve of Saturday's season openers.
But Hughes, speaking after City had won 2-0 away to Blackburn Rovers with goals from Emmanuel Adebayor and Stephen Ireland, was unrepentant.
"It wasn't a surprise seeing David's comments," Hughes told reporters here at Ewood Park.
"He feels a little bit aggrieved at the situation, you always are when a club comes and tries to acquire your better players.
"But all we're trying to do is conduct our business in the right way through the proper channels. Sometimes trying to ring a player to a club runs its course and you walk away. But maybe at the moment the situation is fluid and there's a chance Everton will change their minds. It's not finished yet as we understand the situation."
Sources indicate that City are still optimistic that they will add Lescott to their near 100 million pounds pre-season spending, possibly in time for Saturday's home game with Wolves and there were times against Blackburn that the team's potential defensive shortcomings were evident.
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