Manchester City are maintaining contact with Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci.

The Mirror says City are confident of signing John Stones – but are keeping tabs on Bonucci if Everton demand too much for their prized asset.

City are in negotiations with Everton about a move for Stones and are willing to pay £40million for the England defender who Pep Guardiola has made his top summer target.

That is £10m short of Everton's minimum £50m valuation of the 23-year-old who has told the Goodison Park club of his desire to leave and join up with Guardiola.

If Everton hold out for that figure or more, City are ready to switch their interest to Juventus centre-back Bonucci, regarded as one of the world's finest defenders.

Guardiola is an admirer of Italy defender Bonucci, but Stones remains the City boss's top defensive target, with ongoing doubts over the long-term fitness of skipper Vincent Kompany.