Stones a target as Pep looks to defence

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 on Wednesday, 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 uncertainty over Eliaquim Mangala's future.

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

Everton were unavailable for a response when contacted last night, though Guardiola had talked about his defence at a press conference in Shenzhen.

While Stones was not mentioned by name, Guardiola 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.