According to The Sunday Mirror, Manchester City are delaying talks with defender John Stones over a new contract at the club.
It’s claimed that initial talks over a new deal have started, but City are willing to wait until the end of the season to really push him for a signature.
They feel confident that Stones wants to stay at the club, and don’t want to disrupt his great form by pushing talks right now.
City do have a threat though, as Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is a ‘huge admirer’ of Stones and would be keen on reuniting with him at the Emirates Stadium.
Stones will be approaching the final 12 months of his contract, and will hope to get that new deal sorted in order to fend off Arsenal.
The 26-year-old has hit top form for City this season, forming a particularly impressive partnership with Ruben Dias in the heart of Pep Guardiola’s back four.
It now seems likely that Stones will return to the England squad in March, and a spot in the European Championship squad seems almost nailed-on at this point.
City understandably want to get Stones secured for his prime years, but Arsenal will be paying close attention given these claims that a move is being delayed.
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