Here, FLW writer Lee Connor takes a look at THREE players Barnsley could spend their windfall from John Stones on…
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The defender becomes City’s eighth signing of the 2016 summer transfer window, following in the footsteps of Ilkay Gundogan, Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus, Nolito, Aleksandar Zinchenko, Aaron Mooy and Marlos Moreno.
Manchester City new-boy John Stones has revealed that the club’s group of England internationals helped convince him to make the move to the Etihad, saying that Joe Hart and Raheem Sterling told him that the club “need” him.
Guardiola wanted a ball-playing centre-half and confirmed he wanted Stones on City’s preseason tour to China, but the two clubs were struggling to reach a deal with City offering £40m and Everton holding out for £50m. The 20-year-old German signed for £37 million from Bundesliga side Schalke. and with a price tag like that, it is clear that the City manager thinks he is special.
Now, after enjoying success in Germany with Bayern Munich, Guardiola will look to establish City as a true Premier League powerhouse in England and a force to be reckoned with in the Champions League.
John Stones has joined Manchester City from Everton in a reputed 47.5 million pounds deal, Tuesday, August 9.
The defender has a signed a six-year contract with City having been chased by the club for the majority of the pre-season period. Let down by over-paid and under-performing superstars last season, such as Eliaquim Mangala and Nicolas Otamendi, and missing the perennially injured Vincent Kompany as usual, Pep Guardiola found himself struggling to fill the gap at the back ahead of the season’s start this weekend.
Help is now on hand, however, in the self-assured form of Stones.
Now, this isn’t say Stones is a sure thing or that he has no weaknesses.
And Eriksson – who managed City for a lone season in 2007-08 – is confident the Spanish tactician will deliver in Manchester, which is also now home to his fierce rival in the form of new Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho. We received all of the squad lists from the clubs before the deadline – so before midnight – and submitted them to our website which is the standard procedure. Stones, however, will go straight into action on Saturday and has signed in time to be included in the squad lists for the opening Champions League games with Steaua Bucharest.
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Simon writes for Down the Kippax Steps and the Manchester City programme.
