Chinese Super League squads Beijing Guoan FC and Jiangsu Suning FC are both reportedly eyeing to sign Aston Villa FC defender Joleon Lescott this January transfer window as both teams try to strengthen their defensive lineup with foreign talent.
The 33-year-old Englishman is considered as one of the most experienced defensive footballers in the English Premier League, starting out with the Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2000, where he graduated as youth footballer, and has played for Everton FC, Manchester City, West Bromwich Albion, and finally with the Villans in his decade-and-a-half senior career.
Lescott is primarily a center back, but he can also comfortably play the left back position if needed.
Daily Mail Online reported that the England international is "wanted by Chinese sides Beijing Guoan and Jiangsu Suning" and has also gained interest from Major League Soccer team LA Galaxy, but the offers from the Asian giants are allegedly far more lucrative than those from the States.
The 6-foot-3, Birmingham, England native is said to be torn between playing with his former international teammates Ashley Cole and Steven Gerrard in Los Angeles and about snatching the financial opportunity of a lifetime in the Far East Asian nation.
It was also reported that the Lions has yet to receive any official bids from the interested clubs as the suitors would "want to gauge his level of interest first" before making any offers.
HITC noted that Lescott "has been a key player for Villa this season", his first since being acquired from West Brom in September 2015. He has appeared in 15 matches for the Claret and Blue Army this season, scoring two goals primarily as a defender.
He has a total of 593 appearances overall in his extensive career all spent in England, scoring 42 points in 16 seasons so far.
Aside from Lescott, other Premier League talents that are reportedly on radar from Chinese clubs are Manchester City's Yaya Touré, Newcastle United's Cheick Tioté, and West Ham United's Nikica Jelavic.