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Arsenal 'step up interest in Manchester City centre-back John Stones'

Arsenal 'step up interest in John Stones'
© Reuters
Arsenal are reportedly ready to step up their interest in Manchester City centre-back John Stones, but could face competition from Tottenham Hotspur and Everton.

Arsenal have reportedly stepped up their pursuit of Manchester City centre-back John Stones.

The 25-year-old has fallen out of favour at the Etihad Stadium, with makeshift defender Fernandinho preferred at the heart of the defence for much of the campaign while Aymeric Laporte and Nicolas Otamendi also sit above him in Pep Guardiola's pecking order.

Man City are expected to undergo an overhaul of their defensive unit this summer and have been linked with a big-money move for Milan Skriniar, which would further limit Stones's first-team chances.

TEAMtalk reports that Arsenal are now ready to step up their efforts to sign the England international, whom City would be willing to let leave for around £50m this summer.

Mikel Arteta worked with Stones during his time at the Etihad Stadium and believes that he could help to shore up an Arsenal defence which has shipped 36 goals in 28 Premier League games this season.

However, the Gunners could face competition from North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, while Stones's former club Everton are also thought to be monitoring the situation.

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Manchester United's Jesse Lingard in action with Inter Milan's Milan Skriniar in the International Champions Cup on July 20, 2019
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
3Arsenal18106235161936
4Chelsea19105438231535
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1995532211132
6Manchester CityMan City199463226631
7Bournemouth198652923630
8Fulham197842825329
9Aston Villa198562831-329
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton196942928127
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1973941281324
12Brentford187383232024
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham196582335-1223
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd196492126-522
15Crystal Palace194872027-720
16Everton183871524-917
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich1936101833-1515
19Leicester CityLeicester1935112242-2014
20Southampton1913151239-276


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