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Aston Villa will consider paying off the remainder of Joleon Lescott’s contract if he fails to secure a move away before the end of the month.

The 34-year-old central defender has no future at Villa and has been told by boss Roberto Di Matteo to find a new club.

A switch to Rangers almost progressed but Lescott pulled out at the last minute because of family reasons.

If a move does not progress before September 1, there is a chance Villa will pay him off.

Asked about that possibility, Villa boss Di Matteo said: “It’s something the club is dealing with.”

(Image: David Jacobs (@Jakey7787))

The interest from Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy has now also died, as manager Bruce Arena explained, so the former England international is running out of options.

“Our window is closed now, he is free but we don’t have any room for him,” said Arena.

“We had discussions with the player and the club (last season).

“They were in a relegation battle in which they didn’t put up a real good fight. They could have moved their team last October I think – they were awful.

“Everyone has to make decisions which is in their best interests.

“The player was very interested in coming but we ended up with Jelle Van Damme instead,”

Lescott wants to continue his football career but will only move to a club that meets his requirements.

He passed a medical and agreed personal terms at Rangers but complications arose soon after.

Initial thoughts were that he could keep his family in their current Manchester home and still commute to Glasgow.

However after careful consideration, the ex-Manchester City man decided that wouldn’t be easy so he pulled out of the move.

Gers boss Mark Warburton said: “Personal terms were all agreed but the player just decided to keep his family in Manchester.

“He’s well settled with three young children. It’s a big decision on the player’s part and we understand that.

“We know what happened, the player knows what happened. To take your three young kids out of school is a big call on his part and we respect it. It’s unfortunate but we wish him all the best.”

For some time Lescott has harboured ambitions of a transfer to the US or Australia to prolong his playing days but moving his family has always been a stumbling block.