adminMANCHESTER. — Pep Guardiola wrapped up the £37 million capture of Leroy Sane , then told City to get him John Stones. The Manchester City boss will step up his attempts to reach a compromise over the £50 million-rated Everton defender, who he rates as his No.1 target. The Manchester City boss, however, is concerned at Everton’s insistence that there remains “a significant gap” between the two clubs’ valuation over Stones.Sane has signed a five-year deal as he finally confirmed his move to the Etihad from Schalke on Tuesday.
But Everton are digging in their heels despite City’s take-it-or-leave-it £40 million offer for the 22-year-old centre-back.
Everton have already dismissed the idea of taking striker Wilfried Bony in a cash-plus-player deal and are confident that City’s need to deliver the player for Guardiola is such that they will cave in eventually.
Should City relent it would make Stones the most expensive English player in football history, surpassing his England team-mate Raheem Sterling.
Everton stood their ground in similar fashion last summer when Chelsea slapped in a series of bids — the latest an offer of £38 million — in an attempt to prise Stones away from Goodison Park. — The Mirror.
Online Reporter