Should the Arsenal board fund this move for Wenger?

Arsenal have entered the race to sign Everton centre-back John Stones.

According to Fichajes.net, as reported by the Daily Express, Arsene Wenger has asked the Arsenal board for the funds required to sign the 21-year-old when the January transfer window opens.

Chelsea chased Stones over the summer and even had four bids – the latest worth £38 million – turned down by Roberto Martinez’s side, with the defender eventually remaining at Goodison Park.

But it is now believed that the Gunners will have a go at acquiring Stones’ services this January, despite Everton claiming they have no intention of selling any of their top players.

When asked about if any of his key players will be leaving Everton this January, Martinez said:

‘None of our best players will be leaving in January – I’m not worried at all.

‘We are not in a position where we have to make financial decisions and our only concern is about continuity, and developing the best we can.’

Stones, who arrived from Barnsley in 2013, had a transfer request turned down by the Toffees late in the summer window, and with Chelsea and now Arsenal both expected to try their luck in January, will the youngster’s head be turned once again?

Arsenal could do with another centre-back coming in sooner rather than later with Per Mertesacker on his last legs, and Stones would be a terrific signing for the Gunners, that’s for sure.

So if reports are to be believed, should the Arsenal board hand the funds over to Wenger to make this deal happen?