Arsenal might find it difficult to prise John Stones from Manchester City in January now.
Speculation is rife that the City centre-back is on the Gunners’ radar ahead of the transfer window opening in a couple weeks.
EuroSport reported earlier this month that Arsenal want to speak to Stones about whether he’d be interested in a move to the Emirates Stadium.
Question is, would Pep Guardiola sell him? Going by his performance on Saturday and recent form, definitely not.
The former Everton prospect, a £47.5 million signing in 2016, was immense in helping the former Premier League champions to a 1-0 win away to in-form Southampton.
It has been a difficult last year or so for the 26-year-old, whose plummeting club form resulted in him being dropped by England.
But Saturday was another sign that Stones is recapturing his best form under Guardiola, and the Spanish coach has shunned any credit in the transformation, insisting it’s all down to the player.
He told The Daily Mail: “Himself. He was the first player we signed five years ago. He knew exactly what he had to do. He has done it. Himself. He is playing regularly, showing his personality with the ball, without the ball. We are delighted, especially because he is an incredibly nice person.”
Stones or not, Arsenal probably do need a centre-back if they have no intention of using William Saliba, their £27 million signing from 2019.
The 19-year-old hasn’t even made his debut for the Gunners yet and the fact that Mikel Arteta – who knows Stones from his time as Guardiola’s number two – is seemingly in the market for a defender isn’t a good sign.
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