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Ray Parlour has urged Arsenal to beat London rivals West Ham in the reported race for Manchester City defender John Stones.

The Sun has claimed that West Ham have become frontrunners in pursuit of the English centre-back, who looks set to be heading for the exit doors of Man City in the summer transfer window.

It is explained that Hammers boss David Moyes is eyeing a reunion with the 26-year-old and that he could be available for just £20million.

The report adds that Arsenal are also keen on Stones, but they’ve got to offload players at the Emirates Stadium before they sign.

Ex-Gunners midfielder Parlour believes that his former side Arsenal should be pushing hard to sign Stones, who previously worked alongside Mikel Arteta at the Etihad Stadium.

“Would be a great deal for West Ham if they can get him (Stones) for £20million,” Parlour told talkSPORT.

“Arsenal are desperate for a centre-half why don’t you take your chance and try bid for Stones because I think he’s had a bad time in recent years and he hasn’t gone to where they thought he might go, but you don’t become a bad defender over night.

“He just needs a bit of coaching and it could be key with Arsenal because Arteta’s worked with him for the last few years at Manchester City.”

TBR’s View:

Arsenal will go into this weekend’s FA Cup final against Chelsea confident that they can score goals with their dangerous attack, but the concern will be at the back despite some improvement under manager Mikel Arteta.

The north London club desperately need to address the centre-back area for next season, despite William Saliba returning from loan as an option.

Stones is a ball-playing defender that has won two Premier League titles and been an England regular, so there is no doubt he’s got quality.

If he can cut out sloppy mistakes, he can definitely be a £20million upgrade in the Arsenal defence and a change of scenery could help him.