John Stones seems set to leave Manchester City in the summer.
Manchester City are frustrated by Stones as the Englishman has started a combined 18 Premier League games in the last two seasons due to his persistent injury problems.
As a result, City are ready to let the 31-year-old leave this summer, despite him being one of the most crucial players over the course of Pep Guardiola’s reign at the Etihad Stadium.
Everton are open to re-signing Stones, who played his football in the blue half of Merseyside from 2013 until 2016.
Photo by Ryan Crockett/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Photo by Ryan Crockett/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Man City set to allow Everton to sign John Stones at a cut-price deal
It was at Everton where John Stones emerged as one of the most talented young centre-backs in Europe and caught Manchester City’s eye.
Since leaving the Toffees, the Barnsley-born colossus has won six Premier League titles, the treble, two FA Cups and four Carabao Cups among various other trophies.
The Mirror have reported that as Everton intend to sign Stones after selling him for an initial £42 million fee in 2016, Manchester City are not expected to demand a prohibitive fee for his services.
David Moyes’ side are also aware that the Champions League winner would be looking to play regular football ahead of next year’s World Cup.
Pep Guardiola still believes Stones is Manchester City’s best ball-playing centre-back but at this point, he may be unable to play after every few days, having suffered repeated injuries since winning the treble in 2023′.
John Stones’ wages could be a problem for Everton
However, the report mentions that Stones earns £250,000-a-week, which would make him Everton’s highest earner by some distance.
EVERTON’S HIGHEST-PAID PLAYERS WEEKLY WAGES
JORDAN PICKFORD £125,000
IDRISSA GUEYE £120,000
DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN £100,000
JAMES TARKOWSKI £100,000
JACK HARRISON £90,000
via Capology
Considering Jordan Pickford is the Toffees’ highest-paid player at £125,000 per week, the Manchester City colossus will have to take a wage cut if he moves back to Merseyside.
Otherwise, Everton might simply consider Stones’ addition as one that is out of their budget.