Manchester City’s wish to buy John Stones has been reported for many months, ever since rumours that Pep Guardiola was set to be the club’s new manager.
Last summer, Jose Mourinho and Chelsea tried and failed, quite publicly, to sign Stones, despite the England international trying to push for a move.
It was always likely another club would try and test Everton’s resolve, and Stones completely fit the kind of player Guardiola wanted for his defence. Able to play out from the back, Guardiola will now work to make Stones more solid than he showed at times last season for Everton.
An improvement has already been recognised by Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport. Stones made his way into the GdS European Team of the Week, which covers many leagues, but ignores their own Serie A.
Stones was impressive at the weekend against Stoke City and he’ll hope to continue the way he’s started.
