Manchester City to offer Everton THREE players in exchange for Stones

John Stones tackles the ball for everton

The Etihad's top brass are ready to send Wilfried Bony, Jesus Navas and Eliaquim Mangala to Goodison to get their hands on rising-star England defender

Manchester City are launching an ambitious bid to lure John Stones from Everton – using players worth £75million as bait.

As we revealed two weeks ago, the Mancunian Blues are now leading the race for the 21-year-old centre-back.

Everton are also likely to come under pressure to sell striker Romelu Lukaku, midfielder Ross Barkley and right-back Seamus Coleman.

So decision-makers at the Etihad have put together a proposal involving three of their current first-team squad — striker Wilfried Bony, winger Jesus Navas and centre-half Eliaquim Mangala — who cost Sheikh Mansour a collective £75m.

City hope, by helping Roberto Martinez fill significant holes in the Toffees' squad, that they will be able to do a deal for the young England defender.

* VALENCIA have stepped up their efforts to tie down rising star Fran Villalba on the back of interest from Manchester City, writes Tom Hopkinson in the Sunday People.

The 17-year-old, dubbed the Magician of Cabanyal, has already played in La Liga and the Copa Del Rey. His current contract runs until June 2018 with a release clause of around £3million.