Stones’ name in frame as City target defender

MANCHESTER City have opened discussions with Everton over signing England defender John Stones, according to reports.

City are currently in China on their pre-season tour but continue to be linked with a series of big-money transfers, with the Toffees centre-half said to be top of their list.

Leonardo Bonucci, Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus and Marlos Moreno were all said to be City targets but various reports suggested they are closer to bringing in Stones.

Stones, 22, has previously been coveted by Chelsea but new City boss Pep Guardiola is giving close attention to his back four given Vincent Kompany’s injury record and doubt over Eliaquim Mangala’s future.

Everton would value Stones at up to £50 million in the current climate, with fees significantly inflated since last summer when he was rated at £40m.

While Stones was not mentioned by name, Guardiola, in a press conference in Shenzhen, described his preferred centre-half as one who could bring the ball out from the back before making a transparent reference to the transfer window.

“We need to create good build-up play, with easy passes in midfield, to achieve good passes for our strikers further up the pitch,” he said.

“I believe when the ball goes from a central defender to a striker, the ball comes back as quickly as it goes, and we have to make it clear that we are building up in our first process, whether that is defenders or midfielders.”

City are also on the look-out for a replacement skipper and Guardiola is happy to leave that decision to the dressing room

“Vincent is the captain, and when he’s not playing, the players have to choose,” he said.

Patrick Roberts (left) celebrates with Celtic scorer Leigh Griffiths.