Man City may need to replace a number of their long-standing veterans in the summer, one being John Stones.
Manchester City’s squad has aged drastically, and almost overnight, with Pep Guardiola’s men having suffered greatly in this 2024/25 season so far.
Last time out, Manchester City drew 2-2 with Brighton to find themselves in 5th place of the Premier League table for this March international break, with a game against Bournemouth in the FA Cup quarter-final coming up next.
There’s now just nine games standing between City and what promises to be a quite drastic summer rebuild at the Etihad with Pep bound to cut the deadwood from his side.
Certain names like Kevin De Bruyne seems nailed on to leave, whilst there may be more difficult decisions over names like Ederson who’s backed to leave Man City, and also John Stones.
The England man has been a valiant servant for the Cityzens since joining from Everton in 2016. But his injury record has left a lot to be desired, especially in the last few years.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
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Man City eyeing Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite as John Stones heir
But City could now return to Goodison Park to find their next Stones with a possible summer move for Jarrad Branthwaite. The 22-year-old, who’s featured 22 times in the Premier League this season, has been a long-term target for Manchester United who’ve seen previous bids rejected, with the Toffees holding out for £75million.
Described as a ‘specimen’ by former Everton boss Sean Dyche, Daily Mail report that Branthwaite has ‘drifted off the radar’ for United, with Man City and Liverpool now making checks ahead of the summer transfer window, and with Branthwaite ‘open to leaving’ Everton after missing out on the Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.
But the same report goes on to add that Branthwaite ‘is likely to put Champions League football high on his list of criteria’, meaning Pep would need a 4th place finish to stand a chance of signing Branthwaite.
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
The latest on John Stones’ Man City future
It’s been reported for a while now that there ae several Manchester City players up for sale ahead of the summer and that Stones is likely to be one of them.
In fact, there have been reported directly starting that Man City will sell Stones in the summer, though given his sky high wages and the fact that he remains under contract for another year means it could be difficult to sell him this summer; unless for a cut price fee and unless he takes a huge wage cut.
But speaking recently, Pep confirmed Stones will be at City next season, seemingly so anyway. Discussing his centre-back options, Pep simply said: “Next season, John will be there,” which may indicate his plans to keep the 30-year-old.
Though more long-term options are needed and Branthwaite arriving this summer and then replacing Stones should he leave as a free agent in 2026 could be a smart, albeit expensive move for City.