Report: Manchester City willing to sell John Stones

John Stones has reportedly been put up for sale by Premier League champions Manchester City after falling down the defensive pecking order.

The England international is now seen as fourth-choice at centre-back behind Vincent Kompany, Nicolas Otamendi and January recruit Aymeric Laporte.

City boss Pep Guardiola has praised Stones publicly this season but, according to The Sun, he is after a different type of central defender this summer and the 23-year-old is the odd man out.

Guardiola does not feel that the ex-Everton ace has improved sufficiently during their two seasons working together, it is claimed, and the Citizens will look to recoup as much of the £47.5m laid out to sign him as they can.

Top-flight rivals Liverpool and Arsenal are among the sides said to be weighing up a bid.