The transfer window is now officially open, and Everton are in the market for new players.
The Toffees are looking to have a productive summer ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, and there is a lot of work to be done by The Friedkin Group and the executives.
The club have already announced the exits of several players from the club.
The likes of Abdoulaye Doucoure, Ashley Young, Joao Virginia and Asmir Begovic are all moving on, and loanees Jack Harrison, Jesper Lindstrom, Orel Mangala and Armando Broja are all returning to their parent clubs.
Focus will likely now shift to incoming players – and David Moyes is keen to strengthen his defence.
And one player Everton have sensationally been linked with is John Stones.
Stones left Everton back in 2016 but could now return to the club – and there’s one factor that might just give Everton a good chance of landing him.
World Cup factor may help Everton to land John Stones
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Stones endured a very frustrating 2024/25 campaign due to injury problems.
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That has rather been the story of his career, but last term he made just 20 appearances for Manchester City and hasn’t played since against Real Madrid in the Champions League back in February.
It has previously been claimed Everton were planning to tempt Stones with a long-term contract to re-sign for the club.
Now, according to the Mirror, Everton are now ready to sound out Stones and test City’s resolve.
It’s stated City’s asking price is unlikely to prove prohibitive, with the player having just one year left on his contract at the Etihad Stadium.
It’s also suggested that Everton are aware of the player’s feeling about the 2026 World Cup, and how he needs regular football in 2025/26 to ensure he does not drop out of the squad.
Moyes has signed Stones once before, from Barnsley for £3 million, and fans may hope he can do it again in the coming weeks.
Moyes has already green-lit John Stones transfer
Everton News were informed a few weeks ago that Moyes was keen to bring Stones back to Everton.
Journalist Graeme Bailey told us: “John Stones is set to be available this summer and a number of clubs are keen.
“However, the issue with Stones and the major reason he is available is his injury record, he has barely started a dozen league games over the last two seasons and that is a concern.
Photo by Andrew Kearns - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images
“Would David Moyes and Everton like John Stones, the simple answer is yes, but it is not that simple. If he is on the market they are a club to watch.”
The idea of Stones returning to Everton is one many like. But the injury record is certainly cause for concern.
Perhaps some kind of pay-as-you-play deal would be most ideal, although it might be difficult to get a player of Stones’ calibre to agree to that.