Manchester City are willing to pay up to £50m for England defender John Stones, 22, in order to make sure the deal is completed before pre-season training begins.
New manager Pep Guardiola is set to meet City fans for the first time at an Academy event this weekend before being formally introduced on Monday. The Spaniard has already secured the services of his compatriot, Nolito, 29, with the winger joining in a £14m deal from Celta Vigo.
Stones is seen as a key plank in Guardiola’s remodelling of the City defence. With Vincent Kompany, 30, plagued by injuries and Eliaquim Mangala, 25, unconvincing, strengthening the back four is a high priority if City are to challenge for the Premier League title next season.
The Merseysiders will seek to maximise the fee for Stones and with City’s increasing determination viewed as desperation, are confident of commanding the extortionate fee for a player just 10 England caps.
His contract with the Toffees runs until 2019 putting the club in a strong negotiating position. City however are confident that a bid, expected to be made next week, will be enough to see off competition from rivals Manchester United and Chelsea. Barcelona have already privately conceded defeat in the race for Stones signature.
Stones is believed to be keen on the move and his choice became common knowledge in the England camp during the disastrous Euro 2016 campaign. By not playing a minute, Stones is relatively untainted by the calamitous and ignominious end to Roy Hodgson’s reign as England manager.
Everton’s bank manager will be mightily relieved by that. The fee would eclipse the English transfer record for a defender, currently held by Manchester United’s £34m signing of Rio Ferdinand.
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