Everton are looking to make a quick start to the summer transfer window.
David Moyes clearly wants to get his business done early, as Everton have been making contact with a number of potential signings.
The Toffees have opened talks to sign James McAtee, who has been made available for sale by Manchester City.
McAtee has been left out of Pep Guardiola’s Club World Cup squad, so that deal could accelerate over the coming days and weeks.
Moyes is also exploring a deal to sign Aleksandar Mitrovic, though, his lofty £40m price tag may put them off.
Now, after speaking exclusively to journalist Graeme Bailey, we can reveal that one of Everton’s rumoured targets is open to joining.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
John Stones open to joining Everton this summer
Everton are targeting a move for Man City defender John Stones, with Moyes keen to reunite this summer.
The Toffees are ready to launch an enquiry and Bailey has now told Everton News that Stones would be open to making a move to the blue half of Merseyside.
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“As we previously revealed, there is an interest from Everton in John Stones – they are aware of the injury history but they do have an interest and are keen,” the journalist explained.
“Stones knows that he is likely on his way out of City and the chance to stay in the North West and return to Everton does appeal to him, but I am told he has a number of options available to him – both home and abroad.”
Guardiola hasn’t given the green light on Stones’ sale just yet, but with the World Cup next year, the England international will likely be keen to push through an exit in search of regular playing time.
Stones considered ‘one of the best in the world’
Clearly, if Everton were to land Stones’ signature, it’d be a real coup as many regard him as a world class defender.
Former Inter Milan full-back Ivan Cordoba hailed him as ‘one of the best in the world’.
“I follow the Premier League and I consider it to be one of the best leagues in the world,” Cordoba told the Daily Mail. “In England I really like John Stones of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
“A very strong defender. He is a complete defender in everything he does. I think he is one of the best in the world.”
Keeping him fit would be the main concern, but if they can manage his minutes, a partnership of Jarrad Branthwaite and Stones would certainly be hard to beat across the Premier League.
Exciting times ahead for the Toffees.