Manchester City have made a final take it-or-
leave it offer of around £40 million for Everton
defender John Stones, a source has told ESPN FC.
Pep Guardiola confirmed that he wanted to sign
the England international at a news conference
following City's International Champions Cup
victory over Borussia Dortmund in China.
A source said City have been in talks with the
Goodison Park club but will not be held to
ransom over a potential deal.
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. However, City will
not return with an improved offer if their final bid
is rejected.
As reported by ESPN FC earlier this month, Stones
is keen on a move to the Etihad and has informed
his club of his desire to move this summer.
However, with no deal completed, the 22-year-old
has joined Everton's first-team squad in Germany
for two preseason friendlies in Dresden.
He has played just 30 minutes in preseason --
against MK Dons on Tuesday -- after an extended
break following his England duty at Euro 2016.
Stones was involved in protracted transfer
wrangle last summer with Chelsea before
eventually remaining with Roberto Martinez's side.
Guardiola is looking for a centre-half, who is
comfortable with the ball at his feet. City missed
out on Aymeric Laporte earlier in the summer
when the Frenchman opted to sign a new deal
with his club Athletic Bilbao.
Captain Vincent Kompany is expected to miss the
start of the season as he recovers from a groin
injury, Martin Demichelis has been released, while
Eliaquim Mangala is yet to start preseason
training.
However, the Catalan coach said he would be
happy with his squad if a deal for Stones did not
materialise.
"He's a player for Everton," Guardiola said
following the Dortmund game in China.
"Everybody knows we're going to try [to sign him]
but I don't know what's going to happen.
"I'm very happy with the squad we have, in the
way they train and play. That's all I can say."
Aleksandr Kolarov has moved from left-back to
play in the centre of defence alongside Argentina
international Nicolas Otamendi and academy
product Tosin Adarabioyo in City's two preseason
friendlies.
Guardiola also said that Brazilian midfielder
Fernandinho is capable of playing in that position.
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Chapisha Maoni