Manchester City Transfer News: Latest John Stones and Wilfried Bony Rumours

Manchester City are reportedly readying one final offer for Everton defender John Stones worth "around £40 million" and will move on to other targets if the Toffees decline. Meanwhile, Hull City are looking to sign Wilfried Bony on loan.

According to ESPN FC's Jonathan Smith, club sources have revealed the offer in the region of £40 million will be their last, as City aren't willing to move closer to Everton's £50 million valuation of the player.

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Smith added that 15 percent of any sale will go straight to Stones' former club Barnsley, meaning if the Merseysiders agreed to a £40 million deal, £6 million of that would make its way to the Championship club.

Manager Pep Guardiola recently confirmed to the media that City were interested in a move for Stones, per Smith, although reaching an agreement with Everton has proved difficult. 

He said: "It's the same answer for [Leroy] Sane—he's a player for Everton. Everybody knows we're going to try but I don't know what's going to happen. I'm very happy with the squad we have, in the way they train and play. That's all I can say."

Stones was involved in a transfer saga with Chelsea last summer before finally remaining at Goodison Park, and David Downie of Radio City recently outlined the danger of losing the player so close to season's start:

It's long been speculated City could choose to strengthen in central defence, considering captain Vincent Kompany only made 22 appearances last season following a string of injury setbacks.

The club have recruited Eliaquim Mangala and Nicolas Otamendi for a combined total of around £70 million over the past two years, and football writer Samuel Jay C noted the club risks more money this summer:

One player who could leave to make some room on the wage bill is striker misfit Bony, who has scored just 11 goals in 46 games for the Citizens since arriving from Swansea City in January 2015.

According to the Times, Hull City plan to acquire Bony on a season-long loan, despite the fact they're yet to appoint a successor to manager Steve Bruce (h/t Rob Pollard of the Manchester Evening News).

Despite Bony's seeing his star fall at the Etihad Stadium, OptaCan recently highlighted his scoring record, which is currently better than a goal every other 90 minutes:

A move could work well for both parties in theory, as Sergio Aguero and even Nigerian youngster Kelechi Iheanacho sit ahead of Bony in the City pecking order at this moment in time.

The Ivory Coast international stands a chance of reviving his career with the Premier League new boys, where he would be afforded the opportunities to potentially blossom once more in England's top flight.