Everton have made contact about an ambitious move to re-sign Manchester City star John Stones this summer on a free transfer, according to Sports Boom.
The England international left the Toffees back in 2016 in a deal worth around £47.5m, and has gone on to become one of the best English defenders of his generation, winning six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and a UEFA Champions League, while he also was key to England reaching the final in both Euro 2020 and 2024.
But the centre-back has suffered with injury issues throughout his career, and the 31-year-old is out of contract at the Etihad Stadium this summer, which could see his time with Man City come to an end.
Manchester City's John Stones warms up
Stones, who earns around £250,000-a-week after signing his latest contract in 2021, has been a regular starter under Pep Guardiola, but injuries have been a major factor in him losing his place in the squad.
City now have Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Marc Guehi, Nathan Ake and Abdukodir Khusanov ahead of him in the pecking order, and it means a new contract is highly unlikely to be offered, meaning he will become a free agent this summer.
That has captured the imagination of Everton and former manager David Moyes about a potential reunion on Merseyside, and it's understood that initial talks have taken place over a potential transfer.
Moyes is known to be a huge fan of Stones, while the club still hold him in high regard despite his age and injury record. However, it's possible that there could be a stumbling block in negotiations, with Stones likely to demand a healthy signing-on fee and sizeable wages from his next destination.
Everton also face big competition from Bayern Munich, with Stones' former City teammate Vincent Kompany keen to sign him, while they can also offer Champions League football and a bigger financial package.
Everton Return Perfect for Stones
john stones
Stones' biggest issue is his fitness, and a more reduced playing schedule could be exactly what the defender needs to get back to top form.
Everton are pushing to qualify for Europe themselves, but the demands would be less on his body, and with Michael Keane out of contract this summer too, there is a spot open for a new defender to arrive.
GIVEMESPORT asked ChatGPT if Stones would be a good signing for the club this summer, and this was its response:
Yes — John Stones would bring top-level experience and leadership to Everton’s defence after a decade of winning titles with Manchester City.
He’d likely replace Michael Keane or James Tarkowski as a more technically assured, ball-playing centre-back beside Jarrad Branthwaite.
Injury risks and wages are concerns, but his quality could stabilise a young backline.
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