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Manchester City will step up their interest in John Stones and look to complete a deal BEFORE Euro 2016 begins.

There is huge interest in Stones, with Barcelona and Manchester United thought to be keen to sign the Everton defender, and the Telegraph believe City have reaffirmed their interest in the past few days and want to conclude a deal swiftly.

Stones, 21, is seen as one of the finest ball-playing centre-backs in the Premier League – and with City in need of defensive reinforcements, he has emerged as a serious target.

And Pep Guardiola could look to pair him with Aymeric Laporte.

The Athletic Bilbao defender is back on the training field after suffering a broken leg and dislocated ankle in March, with his recovery very much ahead of schedule.

Guardiola is believed to be a big fan of Laporte and sees him a player capable of playing at the top level for years to come.

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City struggled at centre-back last season, with Vincent Kompany suffering five separate injury layoffs and Eliaquim Mangala and Nicolas Otamendi failing to impress.

It seems Guardiola is prioritising the defence as he looks to reshape the City squad.