Manchester United and Manchester City will battle it out to sign Everton defender John Stones this summer, according to reports.
The elegant England international endured a difficult campaign littered with high-profile defensive errors- losing his starting berth for both club and country after a post-Christmas slump- but remains a target for the two Manchester clubs, as well as La Liga champions Barcelona, in light of his renowned ability to build attacks from the back.
And the Manchester Evening News writes that Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho are both plotting moves for Stones, with the Blues believed to be ready to sell the former Barnsley centre-back for a fee in the region of £45 million.
New City boss Pep Guardiola has pinpointed Stones and Athletic Club defender Aymeric Laporte as key targets in his summer rebuild of the Etihad-based side.
Prospective new Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, attempted to sign the 21-year-old last summer when still with former club Chelsea.
The Portuguese tactician is a long-term admirer of Stones and failed with two bids in the region of £40 million back in August.
Antonio Conte’s Chelsea are also credited with an interest in the player, but the paper adds that the two Manchester rivals have jumped to the front of the queue with Stones reportedly set on staying in the north west.