John Stones will stay and fight for Man City future even if it puts England Euros dream at risk
JOHN STONES is prepared to fight for his Manchester City future — even if it means putting his Euros dream on the line.
The centre-back has fallen down the Etihad rankings and was tipped to move this summer.
But the England international does not want to be shoved out and insists he can force his way back into Pep Guardiola’s plans.
Boss Pep has already brought in Nathan Ake from Bournemouth for £40million, while Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly is a potential £65m buy as well.
And Stones knows by staying he risks his place in the Three Lions starting XI for the delayed Euro 2020 finals next summer.
Stones is in the final two years of his £130,000-a-week contract and has so far been kept waiting on an extension.
Former club Everton — who sold him to City for £47.5million four years ago — West Ham, Arsenal and Chelsea have shown an interest in the 26-year-old.
Despite his lack of starts, Stones is happy at City but knows things must come to a head soon as Guardiola will not want to risk losing him for nothing.
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Stones was left on the bench for last week’s Champions League quarter-final defeat to Lyon, with Guardiola starting Barcelona target Eric Garcia, who has turned down a new deal.
Yet Stones plans to fight on, especially now he is clear of the injuries which dogged him last term.
He knows Garcia’s likely departure could reopen the door to the first team and is willing to take the gamble to become a City regular once more.