Defender set for Man City move
John Stones is set to move to Manchester City for a record £50million and terms could be finalised as soon as the end of the week.
City re-opened talks with Everton over the England defender after the Merseyside club rejected a £40m bid earlier this month.
The £50m deal will be a record transfer fee for an English player, edging out Raheem Sterling’s £49m switch from Liverpool to Manchester City.
Everton are resigned to losing 22-year-old Stones, who has told the club he wants to leave Goodison Park for the Etihad. However, they insist that City must raise their offer to £50m, having turned down a proposal to take striker Wilfried Bony – who shares the same agent as Stones – in part exchange.
City are now preparing a revised offer for Stones, who made his first pre-season appearance since Euro 2016 against MK Dons on Tuesday night, and are increasingly optimistic that a deal will be done.
Personal terms will not hold up an agreement, while Everton manager Ronald Koeman told Stones’ representatives last week the player should decide whether to stay or go as soon as possible.
By Ben Kelly – @benkelly_10
