Manchester City warn Everton they will not be held to ransom over John Stones
Pep Guardiola confirmed he wants to sign £50million-rated defender — but Etihad giants will not go all way to asking price
MANCHESTER CITY have warned Everton they will not be held to ransom over John Stones.
Boss Pep Guardiola confirmed on Thursday he wants to sign the £50million-rated defender.
But City’s bid for Stones, 22, is around £40m — and they have told the Toffees to take it or leave it.
Director of football Txiki Begiristain is ready to play hardball with the Merseysiders.
He has no intention of stumping up the extra £10m for Stones.
And that will give new Goodison boss Ronald Koeman a dilemma as he will want the extra cash for a direct replacement and other reinforcements.
And the longer talks drag on, the less time he will have to make a move.
City believe their offer is an excellent one for a player who cost Everton only £3m when they signed him from Barnsley in January 2013.
Guardiola finds himself in a similar situation with Schalke over City’s interest in Leroy Sane.
The German club value the winger, 20, at £41.5m and the clubs remain miles apart on their valuations — even though progress has been made this week.
Deals for 19-year-olds Gabriel Jesus from Brazilian side Palmeiras and Colombian Marlo Moreno from Atletico National are also close.
But both are likely to be loaned out once their moves are sealed.
City plan to reward Fernandinho, 31, for his excellent three years by handing him a new contract in the near future.
The Brazil midfielder has been picked out for special praise by Guardiola during the tour of China, which ended on Thursday night.
The £30m ace has two years remaining on his existing deal but is likely to be a key man for the new manager.
City also hope striker Sergio Aguero, 28, will put pen to paper on his new extended deal at the Etihad before the new season kicks off in two weeks’ time.