City may have completed a big-money move for Everton centre-half John Stones, after he was added to the UEFA website on City’s squad list, wearing number 24. This would mark the end of one of the summer’s longest-running transfer sagas, with Stones finally arriving at City after weeks of haggling over the price with his club.
Stones is one of the highest-rated defenders in England and was chased by Barcelona as well as The Blues this summer. However, they gave up during the Euro’s, reportedly conceding that he was set to move to Manchester.
He was heavily linked with moves to Chelsea in each of the last two summers as well, but City always seemed more likely after they pulled out all the stops to sign a young, ball-playing, central defender. Due to his pedigree, he won’t come cheap, and it is believed the fee is anywhere between £44 million to £50 million, making him City’s most expensive signing of the window so far.
The addition of Stones to the UEFA squad may have positive implications for the Champions League play-off round tie against Steaua Bucuresti, as it is thought that due to Stones arriving before midnight on Tuesday, he will be eligible to face the Romanian side when The Blues make the trip to the Arena Nationala next week.
In three seasons at Everton, Stones played 77 times in the league, earning plaudits for his talents on the ball. However, he struggled last year in what turned out to be Roberto Martinez’s final year at Goodison, and Pep Guardiola will be hopeful that he can turn the fortunes of the youngster around now he’s playing in sky blue.
