Guardiola admits City's trying to sign Stones from Everton

To see a list of completed deals in the summer window thus far, visit theScore's Premier League transfer tracker.

Pep Guardiola admitted Thursday that Manchester City is making efforts to bring John Stones to the Etihad Stadium, but remains guarded over whether a deal for the Everton youngster is nearing completion.

The Spaniard was quizzed by reporters after his side's penalty shootout defeat of Borussia Dortmund, and was inevitably drawn onto the subject of the summer's transfer business. He was prompted to reiterate an already admitted interest in FC Schalke 04 winger Leroy Sane before being asked about the Stones situation.

Stones' form dipped last season as he cut a distracted figure in defence following repeated bids from Chelsea. Guardiola still holds the 22-year-old Barnsley lad in high regard, though, identifying him as a player that fulfills his preference of a ball-playing defender. The asking price from Everton is said to be £50 million, but City hopes to land him for around £4 million under that fee.

Related - Report: City confident of Stones signing, unsure on Bonucci

As is the Guardiola way, the 45-year-old has contingency plans for the centre-back spot within his inherited ranks. He's identified midfielder Fernandinho as a player who "can play in 10 positions," but particularly in the middle of a back four. It would follow the same route from midfield to defence that Guardiola paved for Javier Mascherano at Barcelona and Javi Martinez at Bayern Munich.

Manchester City's tour of China ended with the Dortmund meeting, and it's next slated to face Arsenal in a friendly at Ullevi in the Swedish capital of Gothenburg on Aug. 7.