Manchester City are making it clear they won’t be held to ransom over John Stones.
Pep Guardiola’s side have long been linked with the Everton defender, but they are being put off by the Toffees’ £50million valuation of the England international.
That’s perfectly understandable given the way he performed last season, with a number of hapless performances suggesting the club would have to lower their asking price.
The Everton hierarchy evidently haven’t taken that into account, but City are not willing to splash out to that degree.
The Telegraph report that the Sky Blues have now offered £40million in a final ‘take it or leave it’ bid.
Everton might seriously want to think about taking it, particularly as it’s clear the 22-year-old wants to leave Goodison Park.
The Mirror have it that Ronald Koeman is already lining up a replacement in the form of Swansea captain Ashley Williams, who is arguably just as good a centre-back as Stones and will only cost a fraction of the profit they make if they accept City’s bid.
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