Manchester City Transfer News: Latest Rumours on John Stones and Aymeric Laporte

New Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reportedly wants to sign centre-backs John Stones and Aymeric Laporte this summer. Guardiola will target both players in deals that could total "as much as £85 million," according to James Robson of the Manchester Evening News.  

Robson noted how a deal for Laporte is being worked on, with a position already assigned for the Athletic Bilbao man in Guardiola's intended new-look defence: "It is understood that Laporte—who has a £39m buyout clause—is initially being earmarked for a left-sided role, with Guardiola planning to address both full back positions this summer."

The report also concluded that Guardiola will continue to pursue Stones, even if he confirms the signing of Laporte. It's all part of a necessary shakeup at the back ahead of next season—one that's set to have some high-priced casualties, per Robson: "With City prepared to cut their losses on £42 million [Eliaquim] Mangala, having already released out of contract Martin Demichelis, that creates room for Stones to take his place at the heart of the defence."

As a ball-playing central defender, Stones would suit Guardiola's adherence to possession-based, progressive football. The City boss' chances of landing the Everton ace and Manchester United target appear strong, with Robson writing that "Barcelona have pulled out of the bidding, believing he is on his way to City."

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A soft center at the back cost City more than once last season. The team conceded 41 times en route to a fourth-place finish in the Premier League. With Skipper Vincent Kompany frequently an injury worry, Guardiola needs to refresh things.

He has the money for a makeover, with Robson writing in another Evening News report that the club's megarich owners will back the Spaniard in the transfer market this summer.

Both Stones and Laporte boast qualities Guardiola likes in his defenders, namely quickness on the deck and comfort in possession. Landing both would be a major coup and would fix the one position that most often undermines a squad amply stocked in the goalscoring department.