Manchester City man opted against loan move to Tottenham

John Stones TEAMtalk

John Stones has reportedly turned down a loan move to Tottenham, despite seeing his career flagging at Manchester City.

The Daily Mail claimed ‘Tottenham enquired’ about taking Stones with a view to signing the defender on a permanent deal for £20m.

Jose Mourinho was keen to take the England star and help revive his flagging career.

However, the centre-back was reluctant to uproot his family and move south to London, according to the Mail and the Daily Star.

Former England man Stones has made just one appearance for Pep Guardiola’s side this season – the 3-1 win over Wolves.

Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias have joined City this summer for big money and both are ahead of Stones. Both have played since the win at Wolves, while Aymeric Laporte and Eric Garcia are also in front of Stones in the pecking order.

Stones, 26, who is under contract until 2022, will apparently not leave until Guardiola tells him he is not wanted.

 

 

And in the summer Guardiola was happy to keep the former Barnsley man: “I’ve said many times, and continue saying, I’m more than delighted with John Stones as a person, as a professional, everything.

“What I want is the best for him and at the end of the season we are going to speak about what is going to happen, because sometimes my wish is not the wish of the players, or the wish for the situation of the club.

Stones frustrated

“I am honest with them and the moment I will feel – not with John but any player – if we have to change we are going to tell them.”

Mikel Arteta was chasing Stones earlier this season, according to TEAMtalk sources.

It may well be that Arteta was told to look elsewhere by City though and instead Arsenal landed Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes.

Stones did admit to being frustrated ahead of the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Arsenal in July.

He told Sky Sports: “It has been really frustrating from a personal perspective. Injury re-occurrence, then little things like getting injured a few days in after lockdown.

“It’s been frustrating. I’ve tried to stay positive, and be ready when I’m called upon, and I feel I have been.

“Coming back after lockdown, getting fit again, and then coming back in and playing against some tough opponents.”

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