John Stones in Germany with Everton on pre-season tour amid talks over £50million move to Manchester City
Central defender could be about to play his last game for the Toffees before finalising transfer to Manchester City
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JOHN STONES has flown to Germany with Everton on Thursday amid growing speculation that he is about to join Manchester City.
He joined the Toffees as they jetted off to Dresden ahead of a two-match tour.
City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed the club will do everything in their power to sign central defender Stones and Schalke winger Leroy Sane for a combined £92million.
But Guardiola is coy about the prospect of actually prising Stones away from Merseyside after re-opening talks over a prospective £50million move this week, saying: “Everyone knows we’re going to try but I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
It remains to be seen whether Stones taking part in the Dresden Cup throws a spanner in the works as Guardiola sets about bolstering his back line.
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Guardiola started with Nicolas Otamendi and youngster Tosin Adarabioyo at the heart of his back four during the penalty shootout victory over Borussia Dortmund and knows he needs at least one reinforcement, perhaps another should Vincent Kompany struggle for fitness.
It seems Stones will play in one of the friendlies this weekend - Everton face Dynamo Dresden on Friday and Real Betis on Saturday afternoon - before they fly back home.
The 22-year-old is thought to be leaning towards leaving Goodison Park, but owner Farhad Moshiri wants to squeeze as much as possible out of any deal given a sell-on clause owed to Barnsley. The Championship newcomers are thought to hold a 15 per cent stake in his next fee.
Romelu Lukaku and Gareth Barry also travelled and will earn their first pre-season minutes but defender Phil Jagielka has stayed behind with a hamstring injury.
Barry had been suffering with a minor problem, while Lukaku was afforded leave following Belgium’s appearance at the European Championship in France.
Lukaku has been on holiday with Manchester United target Paul Pogba.