Man City, John Stones, Pep Guardiola
(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media, Imago)
Mick Brown
Mon 14 July 2025 20:59, UK
Man City are prepared to entertain offers for John Stones in the summer transfer window as they plan to cash in on fringe players.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Pep Guardiola is prepared to see the 31-year-old move on before the season begins.
Stones recently shut down suggestions of an exit as he insisted “I want to stay here” [via the Guardian], but Guardiola is determined to cut down the numbers in his squad.
Brown told Football Insider that Man City will accept offers for Stones as he is no longer a part of the manager’s long-term plans and ambition to revamp his options.
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed on 8 May that Everton are considering signing Stones as an option to strengthen David Moyes’ defensive options.
However, clubs are believed to be reluctant to make a move for the England defender this summer amid concerns about last season’s extensive injury issues.
John Stones could be allowed to leave Man City. (Credit: Imago)
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Pep Guardiola makes John Stones decision at Man City
Brown told Football Insider in March that Man City will let Stones leave amid growing concerns about his injury issues and role in the squad.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that Stones is one of a number of players who could be moved on this summer.
“It all adds up to a bigger thing at Man City,” he told Football Insider.
“As I understand it, the manager has asked the club to reduce his squad by at least six because he feels he’s got too many players at the moment.
“So that raises questions about a number of players on the fringes of the squad.
“Man City have to make decisions about a few of their players, and that’s being discussed.
“Kyle Walker is gone, there are questions about the goalkeeper, McAtee is another one.
“But I think they’ve got to make a decision about John Stones’ future, because it seems to me that he doesn’t have much of a role to play any more.
“As good as he is when he’s fit, he’s only playing about 15 games a season at the moment.
“From City’s point of view, they don’t want a player who is barely available because of injury issues, but also other clubs don’t want to pay big money for him.
“I expect Guardiola would be open to letting him go if an offer arrived, but that hasn’t happened yet.
“That will be an interesting one to watch.”
Pep Guardiola Man City
Pep Guardiola is set to cut fringe players from his squad. (Credit: Imago)
James McAtee exit update emerges at the Etihad
Alongside the possibility of cashing in on Stones, City are also looking to cash in on a number of their fringe players to trim their squad numbers.
Football Insider revealed on 14 July that City are accelerating McAtee’s exit with one eye on raising pure profit to aid their long-term profit and sustainability situation.
A number of Premier League and Bundesliga sides are believed to be keeping an eye on the situation and are expected to make a move in the coming weeks.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider on 1 July that McAtee will snub interested English clubs in favour of a move to Germany this summer.
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