Arsenal target La Liga defender after Arteta admission

Arsenal target La Liga defender after Arteta admission

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has ended speculation surrounding Manchester City defender John Stones.

The England centre-back has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates, with the Gunners desperate for new additions to their defence. Stones has found himself down in the pecking order at City, and has struggled with injuries all season limiting his appearances.


Arsenal looked set to capitalise on his woes at City by tabling a bid for him this month. However, despite his troubles at City, it Arteta is not looking to capitalise.

Arteta worked with Stones during his time at the Etihad, and is a known admirer of the 25-year-old. But his reported attempts to bring him to Arsenal have apparently been wide of the mark.

“John is a player that I really like and I followed,” he said. “I worked with him for many years and know him well.

“When I look at centre-backs he has many attributes that I like from one, but we’re not interested.”

So it seems Stones isn’t on his way to Arsenal, but the North London club are among a number of clubs in the race to sign Getafe defender Djene Dakonam.

The 28-year-old is a highly sought after defender after an impressive couple of seasons in Spain, and The Sun are reporting that a £22m bid could land the Togolese centre-back, who can also play at full-back.