Manchester City news: Everton demand £50m for John Stones as defender requests move to the Ethiad

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has identified the 22-year-old as a top target for the summer

John Stones could be set for a move away from Goodison Park (Getty)

Everton’s John Stones has requested a move away from Goodison Park to Premier League rivals Manchester City, according to reports.

City boss Pep Guardiola had already identified the 22-year-old as a top summer target as he looks to strengthen his squad ahead of the new season.

In light of Vincent Kompany’s reoccurring calf injury and Eliaquim Mangala’s inconsistent form throughout the past season, Guardiola will be particularly keen to add to his backline.

But the Toffees have reportedly labelled the England international with a £50m price tag as they look to cash in on the highly-coveted defender.

Stones was subject to intense interest from Chelsea last summer who made a £38m bid for the player but it seems Everton are demanding significantly more than that now.

Despite the recent overhaul at Everton – Ronald Koeman has stepped in as Roberto Martinez’s replacement and the club is now bankrolled by British-Iranian billionaire Farhad Moshiri – Stones still remains keen to move on from Goodison Park.

According to the Daily Mail, he has informed the club of his wish to move to the Etihad and it seems that City are now closest to securing the youngster’s signature.

John Stones (Getty images)

Stones joined the Toffees from Barnsley back in January 2013 for a fee believed to be around the £3m mark and has since gone on to impress for Everton.

The defender has earned a number of caps for the national side but was forced to watch from the bench for the entirety of England's embarrassing Euro 2016 campaign.

In light of a potential Stones transfer, Everton boss Koeman has already begun the process of seeking out his replacement with Crystal Palace Scott Dann and Porto centre-back Bruno Martins Indi up for consideration.