Manchester City are still seeking to bring in defensive reinforcements as deals for John Stones and Leonardo Bonucci appear in doubt.

New boss Pep Guardiola is desperate to strengthen his options at centre-half amid concerns over Vincent Kompany’s long-term fitness but so far City have been left frustrated.

It is understood Athletic Bilbao’s Aymeric Laporte snubbed the chance to move to the Etihad Stadium earlier in the summer and now reports in Italy say Bonucci has opted to stick with Juventus, turning down an offer from City that would have seen his current wages doubled.

England international Stones is believed to be the club’s top target but as yet no deal is in place and it remains to be seen if City will match Everton’s reported £50million valuation.

Guardiola, for his part, is giving very little away and he moved to distance himself from City’s transfer dealings by saying he offers his “advice” but doesn’t make the final decisions on potential targets.

“He’s [Stones] still a player for Everton. And that question is about the market so I think you should [address it to] the right person,” Guardiola said.

“I know how it works in England, the manager [decides on transfers]. But I’m a trainer, at the club I’m just a trainer. And I give my opinion, my advice to the club, and after that the club decides the best as possible.

“He’s an Everton player right now. I don’t know what’s going on in the future.”

City are 3.25 to win the Premier League outright and if Stones and Bonucci do prove to be unobtainable the club are likely to switch their attentions to other defensive targets in the remaining weeks of the summer transfer window.

Arsenal are 7.00 to win the league crown and Chelsea, now under the guidance of ex-Juve and Italy boss Antonio Conte, are rated at 6.00.