John Stones has reportedly told Everton he wants a move to Manchester City, according to the Daily Mail. The defender has been linked with a move to The Blues for some time now, and could complete a move now England are out of the European Championships.
Stones has been labelled as one of Europe’s hottest defensive prospects despite a poor season last year, and has caught the eye of Luis Enrique’s Barcelona this summer, although they’ve reportedly relented and accepted the youngster wants to move to Manchester instead. Pep Guardiola has been looking at defensive targets all summer, and has chosen Stones as the man he wants to bring in this window.
Everton worked hard to keep Stones at Goodison Park last summer despite big bids from Chelsea, and are thought to be seeking a fee of around £50 million to allow the 22-year-old to leave. However, the defender telling his club he wants to leave could put increasing pressure on The Toffees to do a deal, although it’s still likely to be City’s most expensive signing of the summer either way.
Stones moved to Everton from Barnsley three-and-a-half years ago, and has been highly praised since, becoming a regular for the side now managed by Ronald Koeman. However, there have always been doubts over their ability to hang onto Stones once he started to fulfil his potential. He has become a regular in the Toffees side, playing 33 Premier League games last season.
However, he struggled last season which some suggested may have damaged his stock. Regardless, it was a poor season for Everton, and the management of Pep Guardiola, who turned Gerard Pique into one of the world’s premier defenders, could turn Stones’ futures around, leading him to be a central part of the City defence in the future.
