Arsenal move could now look attractive to Manchester City star John Stones

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It had been reported by Team Talk in January that Arsenal might be keen on signing Manchester City defender John Stones.

Mikel Arteta had moved to quash any notion of Arsenal being interested in his services. There is a sense, however, that if he was available in the summer things might change.

City want to recoup £50 million for Stones but a move to the Emirates Stadium could perhaps now be in the interest of all parties.

The 25-year-old defender has featured in just 12 Premier League games during 2019/20, starting in 10 of them.

Pep Guardiola clearly doesn’t value the £100,000-a-week player as one of his first-choice centre-backs and could be willing to offload him.

Arsenal could look towards defensive reinforcements during the summer. Pablo Mari has started his Gunners career well but David Luiz, Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis all have their erratic moments.

There’s a case to suggest that Stones would represent an upgrade on all of Arsenal’s current central defensive options.

Stones has lost his England place in recent months and Euro 2020 being put back a year could help determine his future.

He will now see the next year as a big chance to win his place back in Gareth Southgate’s plans; although doing that from the bench at City seems unlikely.

That could make a move to Arsenal seem attractive to Stones all of a sudden.

Arteta knows all about the centre-back having worked with him at City and he could have a real impact on the Gunners team.

Arsenal will probably have to sell players in the summer, especially if they don’t qualify for the Champions League.

The Gunners and Stones look tailor-made for each other and Arsenal would be foolish not to target him this summer.