Arsenal‘s new manager Mikel Arteta could raid former club Manchester City to sign central defender John Stones, it has been claimed.
The English centre-back is apparently Arteta’s top transfer target as Stones reportedly wants more first-team football ahead of this summer’s Euro 2020.
As per The Sun, Stones and Arteta have the same agent, and there is a possibility that Stones could make the switch to the Emirates, even if it is on loan.
The report further goes on to state that Stones met with his agent last week and is set to meet him again and wants more playing time to get into the England starting lineup.
Stones moved to the Etihad from Everton in 2016 for a whopping £47.5 million, but he hasn’t taken the world by storm since.
The English international has two and a half years remaining on his current deal, but there’s a possibility that he might leave before it expires. Stones has made over 110 appearances for City, while also playing 39 times for the England national team.
John Stones – The player Arsenal need
Arsenal have been woeful at the back, and have tried several defensive combinations this season, but to no avail.
The likes of Sokratis, Shkodran Mustafi, and summer signing David Luiz have disappointed time and again with their poor decision making, while Rob Holding and Calum Chambers have not progressed in their development.
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A player like John Stones could be a good start to form a new, dependable defence at Arsenal. The Englishman has not quite developed as many would have expected under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, but he is a talented player who perhaps needs a chance of scenery to get back on track.
Stones is a good passer of the ball from the back and is a composed player, while also being strong off the ball. His passing can build attacks and also get his team out of difficult situations, which will be a huge boost in a lacklustre Arsenal defence, which has struggled to bring the ball out from the back.
He is just 25 years of age and still has a lot to offer, and with his Premier League experience and having played with top-class players at City, he could improve the Arsenal defence and would be a good option for Arteta.