Everton Ready to Sound Out Manchester City About John Stones Transfer
According to reports from the Mirror, Everton are preparing to make an approach to Manchester City regarding a potential transfer for defender John Stones. The Toffees are said to be interested in bringing Stones back to the Merseyside club, where he began his career.
Stones, who has been a key player for City under Pep Guardiola, has struggled with injuries over the past two seasons and has not played since undergoing surgery to repair a hamstring tear in February. The 31-year-old has made just 13 starts this season, and his campaign was cut short when his hamstring flared up in the Champions League defeat to Real Madrid.
The Mirror reports that City are willing to listen to offers for Stones, who has just a year left on his £250,000-a-week contract. However, the defender would likely need to take a pay cut to join Everton, where he would reunite with former manager David Moyes.
Moyes was at the helm of Everton when they signed Stones from Barnsley in 2013 for £3million. During his three-year stint at Goodison Park, Stones made 95 appearances for the Toffees and established himself as one of the most promising young defenders in the country.
Despite his injury struggles, Stones remains a highly regarded player, and City are said to be aware that he needs regular football to push for a place in England’s World Cup squad next summer. The Mirror reports that City’s asking price for Stones is unlikely to be prohibitive, and Everton are expected to make a formal approach in the coming weeks.
Guardiola has consistently praised Stones for his ability on the ball, but has struggled to keep him fit over the past two seasons. The Manchester City manager sees Stones as one of the best ball-playing defenders in the Premier League, but there are concerns about his ability to cope with the demanding schedule of playing every three days.
Stones has won six Premier League titles during his time at City, and has also earned 83 caps for England. He captained his country for the first time in October last year, during a 2-1 UEFA Nations League defeat to Greece at Wembley.
The potential transfer would represent a significant coup for Everton, who are said to be keen on strengthening their defence ahead of the new season. The Toffees have also been linked with a move for City’s Jarrad Branthwaite, who has impressed during his loan spell at PSV Eindhoven.
As the transfer window heats up, Stones’ future at City will be one to watch. With his contract expiring next summer, the defender may be forced to consider a move away from the Etihad in search of regular football. A return to Everton could be the perfect solution, and the Mirror reports that the Toffees are ready to sound out City about a potential transfer.
The news will come as a boost to Everton fans, who have been eagerly awaiting the club’s return to action. With a number of high-profile transfers already completed, the Toffees are expected to be active in the market this summer as they look to build a competitive squad for the new season.
As reported by the Mirror, Stones’ potential transfer to Everton could be a shrewd move for both parties. The defender would get the chance to play regular football and regain his form, while the Toffees would bring in a talented and experienced player to strengthen their defence.
In related news, Manchester City have been busy in the transfer market, signing young centre-backs Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis, and Juma Bah in January. The club are also said to be admirers of Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, who has impressed during his loan spell at PSV Eindhoven.
The Mirror’s reporting on the potential transfer has revealed that Stones’ £250,000-a-week contract is set to expire next summer. With City willing to listen to offers, the defender’s future at the Etihad is uncertain.
Everton’s interest in Stones has been reported by the Mirror, who have a proven track record of breaking exclusive transfer news. The Toffees are said to be ready to make a formal approach to City in the coming weeks.
(Source: Mirror)
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