Arsenal ready to move for £50m-rated defender?

Arsenal are reportedly planning to step up their interest in signing John Stones from Manchester City ahead of the summer transfer window.

The Gunners bolstered their central defensive department in January with the loan signing of Pablo Mari from Flamengo and they have the option to sign him on a permanent basis.

Still, the north London club are expected to make another high-profile signing to strengthen the backline and TEAMtalk claims that they have their sights on landing Stones from the Cityzens.

Mikel Arteta has worked with Stones during his time with the Premier League holders and he appears to have earmarked the Englishman as the ideal candidate to shore up the club's defence.

Tottenham Hotspur and Stones' former club Everton are also understood to be monitoring the situation and could possibly come up with offers to land his signature.

Stones has made just 10 starts during the current Premier League campaign. The Cityzens are likely to demand around £50m to sanction his sale in the summer.