- Stones will be a free agent in the summer
- Contract at Manchester City expires this June
- Moved to City in 2016 for a then‑record £47.5m
John Stones looks increasingly likely to leave Manchester City on a free transfer this summer, and Everton are now prepared to take a gamble on his fitness. The 31‑year‑old defender has scarcely featured under Pep Guardiola this season due to repeated injury issues, raising concerns among interested clubs.
But David Moyes, the man who originally brought John Stones to Everton from Barnsley in 2013, is the driving force behind a potential reunion.
John Stones left Goodison Park for City in 2016 for a then‑record £47.5m and has since won 17 major trophies. However, recurring fitness struggles may have signalled the end of his time at Manchester City. His current contract expires in June, making him one of the most high‑profile free agents of the summer window.
Brown: ‘Everton might be willing to take that gamble’
Former scout Mick Brown, speaking to Football Insider, outlined the dilemma facing any club interested in Stones.
“The only concern about John Stones, and it’s a big one, is his fitness,” Brown said. “Everybody agreed that when he’s fit, he is a top‑class footballer who would improve most teams in the country, but if that was the case he’d be staying at City.
“The problem he has is he barely plays more than 20 games per season at the moment and that’s going to be a major concern for any interested club.”
But Brown revealed that Everton are considering taking the risk. “Everton have been looking at bringing him back, but again the doubt has always been whether it’s worth it given the money they’d be paying him. From what I hear, though, they might be willing to take that gamble on him.
“They’ll have to manage his minutes carefully to make sure they don’t put more pressure on him, but if they can do that and keep him fit, it would be a great signing. David Moyes wants to add experience and quality to his side, and Stones brings plenty of that with everything he’s done at Man City.
“So it’s just about weighing that up against his availability, but if they do decide he is worth it, it’s definitely a deal I can see them going for.”
Why a John Stones return makes sense for Everton?
John Stones has made only 15 appearances in all competitions for Manchester City this season, missing two months with a thigh injury. Last season was no better, with hamstring and foot problems limiting his availability. But when fit, he remains a top‑class defender who has worn the captain’s armband in four fixtures this term.
Moyes is keen to add elite‑level experience and leadership to his defence. John Stones would immediately tick that box. The defender has been linked strongly lately with Everton.
A free transfer would remove the transfer fee, but Stones is on a significant contract at City and would likely command a sizeable signing‑on fee. For Everton, the question is whether his quality outweighs the fitness risk.
With European football potentially on the horizon, adding a proven winner with 17 major trophies could be exactly the statement signing The Friedkin Group wants to make.
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