No they wouldn't. Baines and Jags have had CL teams sniffing around them and didn't act like complete scum to force a move. I believe Arteta (before the Arsenal move) turned down offers too.
The false equivalency in this thread is amazing. It's not the same as Pienaar, Arteta or anyone we've sold in recent memory (or perhaps history -- I'd argue Wayne wasn't as bad). He essentially quit on the pitch in the middle of a game -- if I were City I would have pulled my offer right there on the basis that such a deep lack of character would likely hurt my club one day.
The next time someone says "they've got to feed their family" or something along those lines about a player going from 40-50k a week to 80-90k I swear I will ... do nothing but I'll be right upset I tell you.
"You would do the same" ... first off people always say this as if it's hypothetical. As if people in the "real world" aren't offered jobs. We are. Lots of people turn them down (even for more money -- and even when the difference between making tens of thousands a year is actually bigger in terms of the impact on your lifestyle than the huge footballer wage amounts) for various reasons (family, location, happiness at current job etc.) Hell I've seen people move jobs and take LESS money. Actually I've seen footballers do that too. So this "everyone is a money hungry scumbag who will not only do anything for money but act like absolute human garbage to force a move" doesn't really line up with reality. Yes there are lots of "Wall Street" types about who will stab their mother for a nickel but there are also people who could make six figures a year who take a lot less to help out others. Takes all sorts but don't paint all of us with the Lescott brush. Lescott is the vulture capitalist of footballers but there are some Warren Buffets out there too. Wherever you guys live sounds like a horrible place -- you should move ... take less money if you have to.
Oh ... in case it wasn't clear: of course I'd take him back he's great bloke!
Mate I don't disagree with your basic point but what football players can you think of who have had a big offer turned down and not agitated for a move or ultimately moved ? I don't mean payers like kaka at a huge club turning down a move to city but a player like Arteta , lescott , Rooney who have one the same and got on with it . There clearly are examples but I can't really think of any (many) , also how many players have taken a wage drop in normal circumstances ? Take Arteta as an example it's widely rumoured he took a wage drop but his signing on fee took it above his old basic and bonuses hammer it .
If your looking for examples by the way he may have played across the park but I'm told crouch is an absolute gentleman who has behaved pretty decently when faced by moves and over wages so like isn't I'm sure there are a couple of examples but I can guarantee you they are exception not the rule.
