Everton defender John Stones has reportedly met with the club’s hierarchy to inform them that he wants to join Manchester City.
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The move would make Stones the most expensive defender in history – with former Chelsea man David Luiz now holding that honour after his £50m move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2014. It will also make Stones the most expensive English player of all time taking over from City’s Raheem Sterling, who was sold by Liverpool for a whopping £48m.
Stones was linked with a move to Chelsea last summer but Everton knocked back three official bids and held on to the player.
The Toffees are believed to be keen on Napoli’s Senegalese worldwide Kalidou Koulibaly as a replacement for Stones, though face competition from Chelsea for his signature.
Everton boss Ronald Koeman met Sheikh Mansour’s transfer king Txiki Begiristain in Manchester last week to thrash out a deal for John Stones.
The paper claim that Stones does not want to return to Everton for pre-season training, and wants to have a clean start with City.
The England global is expected to report for pre-season training on Monday, and as noted by ESPN FC, he will command a fee of around £50m which will of course see him and City break various transfer records.
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With their city rivals United already having splashed out on several summer deals, Stones’ arrival at City would see him join former Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan and Celta Vigo striker Nolito as new arrivals at the Etihad.
