- John Stones has announced he will be leaving Manchester City following the end of this season.
- The England international moved from Barnsley to Everton in 2013 and featured for the Blues until moving to Manchester three years later.
- Everton have been linked with the 31-year-old but the Toffees may find it difficult to persuade him back to Merseyside.
Ex-Everton defender John Stones is set to leave Manchester City after 10 years with the club.
In light of this the Toffees have floated the idea of bringing the defender back to Merseyside to strengthen their back line.
Stones has struggled to break into Pep Guardiola’s side in recent years and will look to revitalise his career ahead of next season.
Multiple clubs have been linked with the Englishman, meaning Everton will face competition if they want to re-sign the centre back.
John Stones may consider options abroad
Stones has crafted a very successful career at City after winning six league titles, two FA Cups, and a Champions League, and could add two more winners’ medals to his haul this season.
He has also become one of England’s finest players in the modern era and was a key defender in the teams that made successive European finals.
After such a successful career, and with time still on his side, Stones may find several clubs looking to secure his signature.
Pete O’Rourke revealed that the England international has not made any decision on his future after City but will consider options abroad.
He said: “Stones won’t rush into any decision.
“There’s been links with a potential move back to Everton, but I would say they’re probably unlikely right now.
“Stones, at this stage of his career, 31, I think he could maybe look to try his luck abroad.”
With Stones likely to be included in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad, he will be firmly focused on appearing in his third World Cup before securing a move elsewhere.
John Stones would bring quality but he comes at a high cost
Recruiting Stones as a free agent sounds like ideal business, but the defender comes with a cost of high wages.
He reportedly earns a whopping £250,000 per week, and if Everton even came close to matching this, the 31-year-old would become their highest-paid player.
The defender will likely take a pay cut following his move away from the Etihad Stadium, but he will still come tied with an expensive wage.
Considering Stones is coming to the final years of his career, it would not be wise for Everton to make him their highest earner.
But if the Toffees can negotiate a more affordable deal, then the centre back would offer a handy injection of quality.
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