But the Spanish coach faces one issue if he does want to sign Stones, in that City will demand the £50m they paid for his services four years ago in order to sell him.
The centre-back is under contract with the reigning Premier League champions until 2022 and is thought to earn £100,000 a week – a pay-packet unlikely to be out of Arsenal’s reach with David Luiz, signed last summer, reportedly on £125,000 a week.
Guardiola, meanwhile, had a message for Stones after City won the Carabao Cup for the third consecutive season at the weekend, insisting the club still need him for the remainder of the campaign as they hunt more success in the Champions League and FA Cup.
“That is what I am pleased about, always with the players we speak about how you react,” said Guardiola.
“It is easy to react well in good moments but not in bad moments.
