Manchester City Football Club may be held to ransom over Sebastien Bassong.

After seeing their interest in John Terry go to waste when the England international pledged his future to Chelsea, the Blues turned their attention to Joleon Lescott.

Mark Hughes would love the Everton ace to partner Kolo Toure in the heart of his back four, but he has already seen two bids rejected for a player the Toffees rate at £30million.

It is believed the Blues boss is now ready to turn his attention to Bassong, who has been the subject of a £10million bid from Tottenham Hotspur, according to reports, which was rejected.

The Mirror now hint that the Championship side, aware of the interest from the mega-rich Eastlands outfit, are set to slap a huge price tag on the Frenchman’s head to force an inflated offer.