Pep Guardiola has earmarked Everton defender John Stones to head up his new Manchester City dynasty.
Guardiola will take the reins at the Etihad Stadium this summer when his current contract with Bayern Munich expires and has identified the England international among his key targets.
Everton resisted a string of offers from Chelsea last summer for Stones but The Guardian claim they are now set to face a renewed test of their resolve as City attempt to prise the 21-year-old away from Merseyside.
Roberto Martinez is keen to tie the versatile centre-back down with a new long-term contract in a bid to prevent a repeat of last year’s tug-of-war with the former Premier League champions.
Stones has made a number of cameo appearances in recent weeks, including during last weekend’s defeat to Arsenal, as he returns to action following a hamstring problem.
But Martinez now believes that Stones is ready to stake a claim in a starting role.
He said: I thought when he came out he looked refreshed, he looked full of energy, like the player he looked like at the start of the season.
“I think he has come back with a real focus and a real intent of performing well and I think the second half performance, the back three had to do everything, defend, get on the ball and try to play forward and I thought it was an all-action performance.
“He reacted well and anticipated things very well. He played really well, and he’s refreshed.”