The Everton defender told Ronald Koeman he wants to leave the Toffees this summer but distanced himself from club matters for an afternoon as he went on a shopping spree in Manchester City centre.

The 22-year-old may have the chance to peruse Manchester’s shops more often should his preferred move to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City go ahead, and the Sky Blues have contacted Everton about a potential transfer.

John Stones took time off preparing for the new Premier League season by going shopping with his girlfriend

Stones is seemingly closing in on a move to Manchester City and has told Ronald Koeman he wants to leave

Pep Guardiola is an admirer of the 22-year-old but City do not want to meet Everton’s £50million asking price

The sighting of Stones coincides with his return to Everton for pre-season training, but the former Barnsley youth graduate has made it clear that he sees his future in Manchester, not Merseyside.

Stones, who treated himself to Dior goodies amongst other things, was the subject of a summer-long pursuit from Chelsea last year, but Everton were staunch in their refusal to sell one of their prized assets.

Now the Toffees have seemingly softened their stance and are demanding £50million in order to let the young defender leave.

Stones was the subject of a summer-long pursuit from Chelsea last year but Everton refused to sell

City are seemingly unwilling to pay such a hefty fee for Stones, who had a poor second half of last season and did not see a minute of action at the European Championship, but Everton have no immediate pressure to sell given the arrival of new major shareholder Farhad Moshiri and the fact that Stones has three years left on his current contract.

Everton have already drawn up a list of potential replacements for Stones and have registered an interest in Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly.

The Senegalese international, who has a price tag of £40million, impressed in Naples last season and is also attracting interest from Chelsea.

Juventus defender Daniele Rugani and Porto star Bruno Martins Indi are also on Koeman’s wishlist as he looks to shape his Everton squad.

Everton could replace Stones with Juventus defender Daniele Rugani (left) and Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly