Manchester City are stepping up their interest in John Stones after the central defender indicated to Everton he is keen on moving to the Etihad Stadium to work under Pep Guardiola.
The new head coach is intent on adding a high- class central defender given the uncertainty over Vincent Kompany’s long-term fitness and the faltering form of Eliaquim Mangala.
The 22-year-old Stones is contracted to Everton until 2019 and, given Mangala cost City £42m two summers ago when he was a year older than the England player, Everton would demand a fee in the same region for him.
It is understood that Stones has told Everton of his desire to leave for City and, if he is signed, it may be in time for the pre-season tour, which starts next week.
Guardiola will take the side to his previous club, Bayern Munich, for a friendly at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday before travelling to China, where City face Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund in the International Champions Cup.
Stones would expect to start the new season playing alongside Nicolás Otamendi in central defence, given Kompany remains injured, with the former Barnsley defender able to operate at right-back too.
If City were to receive a serious bid for Wilfried Bony they might also consider allowing the striker to go on loan or leave on a permanent deal following the signing of the Spain forward Nolito. Bony joined from Swansea City for close to £30m in January 2015 but has struggled to establish himself.
As with the left-back Aleksandar Kolarov and right-back Pablo Zabaleta, the club is not actively seeking to sell Bony. But there is a recognition that, if any of the three players wanted a move, it would be countenanced.
Meanwhile City are not interested in signing the Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo following reports in Spain claiming that to be the case.
