Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho interested in signing Manchester City target John Stones

Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Everton defender John Stones. The highly-regarded centre-back has also attracted interest from Manchester City and has been linked with a £50m ($65.6m) move to the Etihad Stadium.

However, United boss Jose Mourinho is still in the market for another defender, having already completed the signing of Ivorian centre-back Eric Bailly earlier this summer. The Red Devils are reportedly interested in signing Leonardo Bonucci from Juventus, but are apparently reluctant to get bogged down in more lengthy negotiations with the Italian giants in light of the Paul Pogba saga.

Alternatively, the United hierarchy have discussed the possibility of bringing in Southampton's Jose Fonte, while they are also keen on Stones, according to ESPN. Mourinho is eager to recruit a John Terry-like leader as he looks to return United to the top of English football.

Having already bought Bailly, striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan this summer, Mourinho has admitted he is in the market for one more player. "The reality is we're going to sign one more player, the market closes, as you know, 31 August," the United boss previously said. "So, we have plenty of time to do that but I would like to do that before the Premier League starts."

Meanwhile, City manager Pep Guardiola has already admitted the Blues would like to sign Stones this summer. "Everyone knows we're going to try but we will see," the Spaniard recently said in response to transfer speculation.