Pep Guardiola confirms John Stones interest

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola yesterday confirmed his interest in signing Everton defender John Stones.

The England defender has been linked with the club for several months now and City are keen to push through a deal for the 22-year-old.

Everton are holding out for upwards of £50m (€59m) for the England international and that remains a sticking point, although Guardiola remains keen to add Stones and Schalke forward Leroy Sane.

“Sane is a player from Schalke. If he comes, we’ll be happy. If he stays, I’ll be happy for the Schalke fans,” said the Catalan.

In relation to Stones, Guardiola told his post-match press conference: “It’s the same answer for Sane — he’s a player for Everton.

“Everyone knows we’re going to try but we will see.”

Stones flew out to Germany yesterday for a two-match tournament in Dresden.

The defender played 30 minutes of Tuesday’s win at MK Dons, his first appearance since returning from extended leave after Euro 2016.

Guardiola was speaking after his side’s penalty shoot-out win over Borussia Dortmund, where Sergio Aguero’s second-half goal was cancelled out by Christian Pulisic at the International Champions Cup in China.

Goalkeeper Angus Gunn became City’s hero as he saved three penalties in a shoot-out. The 20-year-old son of former Norwich goalkeeper Bryan Gunn, came on as one of eight changes at half-time.