Arsenal are looking to make waves in the transfer market this summer, as they look to make history in the 2026/27 campaign.
The Gunners won the Premier League title last year and reached the Champions League final, and are keen to win consecutive league titles for the first time in their history, which has seen Mikel Arteta make an attempt to refresh his squad with new faces.
Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier have arrived, while Leandro Trossard has departed for Besiktas, but the club have now made a formal approach to add a top star to their squad.
Arsenal Make Approach for John Stones
Man City's Pep Guardiola and John Stones, and Arsenal's Mikel Arteta and Declan Rice
According to Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal have made a formal approach to sign England defender John Stones.
Stones, who has been described as 'world-class' by Thomas Tuchel, is a free agent this summer after leaving Manchester City following a decade at the Etihad Stadium, and is assessing his options ahead of picking his next club.
The 32-year-old featured heavily for England at the World Cup as they reached the semi-finals, and with William Saliba facing an extended period of time out with a back injury, Stones has emerged as someone who could come in and replace him.
Serie A giants Inter Milan and Juventus are both in talks with Stones' representatives over a potential free transfer, while Romano has also revealed that Chelsea and Arsenal have made approaches.
The final decision lies with Stones at this stage, but Arteta is hopeful that his relationship with the player can help to tempt the former Everton star to north London on a short-term deal.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Stones Could Be Genius Signing
Manchester City's John Stones warms up
Stones may have had some injury struggles in recent years, making just 20 Premier League appearances in the last two seasons, but he says that much of that in the most recent campaign was due to Pep Guardiola's preference, rather than fitness.
The England star is one of the best centre-backs of his generation in the Premier League, and his ability on the ball but also when it comes to stopping the opponents makes him an ideal option to replace Saliba in the short-term.
Alongside the ambitious move for Real Madrid star Vini Jr, Stones would also be a near-perfect option to have in the squad for experience and quality depth once the Frenchman is fit again, and the likes of Cristhian Mosquera and Marli Salmon will only learn from him. On a free transfer for a year, it could be shrewd business.
Vinicius Jr in action for Brazil at the 2026 World Cup Related
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