Paul Merson has told Sky Sports that reported Arsenal target John Stones will definitely leave Manchester City this summer.
According to 90 Minutes Arsenal are ready to make a move for £50 million-rated Stones, who faces an uncertain future at City.
Mikel Arteta has worked with the England international before, and is said to be keen on giving Stones a chance to prove his quality with the Gunners.
And Merson thinks that the 26-year-old could still turn out to be a valuable signing for whoever gets him.
“City need to buy defenders, and it’s potentially more than one,” Merson said. “Stones will leave because he doesn’t play, but what centre-halves are around for City?
“Stones has the potential to be great, he really has, but he needs the confidence.”
If Arsenal were to land Stones he would arrive at the Emirates Stadium with a point to prove.
The former Everton man has lost his place at Pep Guardiola’s side, after one too many error strewn displays.
Stones certainly has the technical ability to fit into Arsenal’s style under Arteta, but whether he would prove more reliable than their current centre-back options remains to be seen.
Arsenal already have too many accident prone central defenders, and Stones would need to cut the mishaps out of his game if he was to move to the Emirates Stadium.
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