Manchester City will not entertain any bids from Arsenal for their central defender John Stones and have no intention of losing the England international.
The 25-year-old moved to the Etihad from Everton for £50m in 2016 and he has won two Premier League titles since moving to City.
Vincent Kompany’s exit last summer, combined with the absence of Aymeric Laporte through injury, was a chance for Stones to cement himself as the cornerstone of City’s defence but he’s experienced a poor season.
Stones has played in just ten of City’s league games this campaign and is understandably concerned about his spot in England’s Euro 2020 team.
Reports over the weekend claimed that the gunners have expressed an interest in Stones and would be willing to sign the former Everton player – either permanently or on loan – in January.
According to Metro, City have no intention of selling John Stones and will not allow him to leave the club on loan.
Stones shares an agent with Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta and the Spaniard worked closely with the defender on his game during his time at the Etihad.
But Pep Guardiola remains interested in keeping Stones, despite the club’s plans on signing a centre-back this summer window.
Guardiola was unhappy with City’s failure to sign Harry Maguire and will look to rectify that mistake at the end of the campaign by getting a partner for Aymeric Laporte.
However, Nicolas Otamendi is likely to leave at the end of the campaign and Stones will be expected to provide competition for Laporte and an incoming defender next campaign.
