Pep Guardiola has been chasing John Stones all summer and it now seems to be that transfer might have already been completed by the club. On the official site of UEFA, the defender’s name has shown on the website.
Stones has been one of the biggest sagas in this summer transfer window, with Everton being very reluctant to sell their young centre back. The Englishman himself had reportedly asked for a move to the 2013/14 English Champions which made Ronald Koeman even more upset.
Everton have set a huge asking price for Stones, and if the squad list is what it is then City seem to have met that asking price. Everton’s valuation of the player is around 50 million while City believe the price is closer to 42.
If City have paid what the Toffees have asked for, then Stones will become on of the most expensive defenders in the history of the game. Guardiola knows how poor his current defence is and realizes the importance of improving the back line.
Their 3-2 loss against Arsenal in their last friendly was evidence of the susceptibility of their centre backs John Stones is certainly not the finished product but he has already come a long in a short span of time.
With Captain Vincent Kompany also injured, Stones might prove to be a very important signing for the Sky Blues.
What’s even more surprising about this list, is the exclusion of Elaquim Mangala and Samir Nasri, two players who are rumoured to be heading for the exit door at the club. With so many new players joining the club some are bound to be offloaded.
Nasri has not been in the fray of things for quite some time and Mangala has failed to establish himself as a reliable defender. Pep is known for his ruthlessness when it comes to axing players and these two might be the first ones to face his wrath.
