Manchester City had reportedly agreed to the £50 million payment demanded by Everton for the transfer of center back John Stones.
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When asked about Manchester City’s reported interest in the centre-back, Guardiola told reporters: “Everyone knows we are going to try”.
“We will see what happens”. “If he stays, I’ll be happy for the Schalke fans”.
Reports suggest that Everton are holding out for £50m for Stones, with 15 percent of any fee going to Barnsley as part of the deal that saw him move from Oakwell three years ago.
Pep Guardiola admitted there is a lot to be done to the team with just two pre-season matches left before the commencement of the Premier League in the next two weeks.
Goalkeeper Angus Gunn became Manchester City’s hero as he saved three penalties in a shoot-out against Borussia Dortmund in Shenzhen, China.
Manchester City are ready to get tough with Everton in their pursuit of John Stones.
“I don’t think it’s a big problem, we have people like Vincent, Joe [Hart], Yaya, Pablo [Zabaleta] as well”.
Full-back Gael Clichy revealed the new Etihad Stadium boss has banned some players from first-team training due to concerns over their fitness, while pizza and certain drinks had been outlawed.
At Barca he often used midfield players in the back four, most successfully Javier Mascherano, and has earmarked Fernandinho for similar treatment. We want the players on the pitch to be fit. We have to make it clear [to the players] that we want to build up play in our first process, whether that is defenders or midfielders, and that is why we need players of quality to play in that style. Many of Guardiola’s senior players have not played more than 45 minutes of football but he said the situation was unavoidable after the Euros and Copa America.
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“They were not overweight (at the start of pre-season), but I want my players fit”. City also face a two-legged Champions League qualifying round play-off next month.
