Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta wants to prise John Stones away from Manchester City as one of his first major deals at the Emirates, reports The Sun.
Arteta wants to overhaul Arsenal's current defensive options in a bid to get the Gunners playing from the back.
The former City assistant coach has earmarked Stones as a top transfer target and is even hoping to land the England international on loan.
Stones has endured a nightmare spell with injuries this season but Guardiola believes he still has what it takes to become one of the best defenders in Europe.
However, Fernandinho has even leapfrogged Stones in the pecking order this season and star defender Aymeric Laporte is close to returning from injury.
The 25-year-old could find himself looking in from the outside once Laporte is back and that could harm his chances of starting for England at Euro 2020.
Stones has been limited to just 10 Premier League appearances this season, though did complete 90 minutes in the competition on Sunday for the first time since November.
Of players that have started at least five Premier League games this season, Stones has the best pass success rate in the division (94.4%).
