Everton have rejected a transfer offer - believed to be around £15m - from Manchester City for defender Joleon Lescott, the Merseyside club have confirmed.

GettyImagesLescott: Has swapped Goodison for Eastlands

Toffees manager David Moyes said earlier this week that "no players" would be leaving Goodison Park but that did not deter the Premier League's biggest spenders from making a offer.

Everton chief executive, Robert Elstone, reiterated those sentiments on Friday. "As a Club, we have publicly stated - as recently as Wednesday night - that we do not intend selling any players," he said "David Moyes' primary focus is on building a squad so that we can continue to compete effectively in what is the most competitive League in world football."

Manchester City's initial bid for Lescott was expected to be rebuffed and the Eastlands outfit will almost certainly return with an improved offer of £20m for the 26-year-old England international.

Lescott has been a regular during his three seasons at Everton, since making the £4m move from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2006, and has scored 14 goals in 112 appearances.

City manager Mark Hughes is looking to partner England colleagues Lescott and Chelsea skipper John Terry together in the heart of his defence, but has met with resistance from both clubs.

The signing of Lescott or Terry would probably herald the exit of club captain Richard Dunne. The Irish centre-back has been linked with a £5m transfer to Sunderland.