Manchester City ready to splash out £84m on Everton and Athletic Bilbao defenders

Manchester City are reportedly ready to stump up as much as £84m this summer in an attempt to sign defenders John Stones and Aymeric Laporte, according to the Manchester Evening News.

The Premier League giants, who pipped rivals Manchester United to fourth spot in the English top-flight last term and subsequent qualification for the Champions League, have been heavily linked with moves for the Everton starlet and Athletic Bilbao centre-half.

Everton defender Stones – Photo: Mark Leech.

Stones; 22, who has 10 international caps for the Three Lions and features in England’s EURO 2016 squad this month, made 41 appearances in all competitions for the Toffees this season.

Meanwhile 22-year-old Laporte, who is yet to earn his first senior cap for France, scored five goals and provided two assists in 45 games in all competitions for the La Liga outfit.

The report suggests that new Citizens boss Pep Guardiola is keen on strengthening his defensive ranks this summer at the Etihad Stadium, with England’s Stones valued at around £45m, whilst fellow centre-half Laporte is understood to have a £39m buy-out clause.