Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola
Everton and Manchester City could look to do business with one another in the upcoming summer transfer window, according to reports - with former Toffees man John Stones potentially being on his way back to Merseyside for guaranteed game time, in a deal that could see Jarrad Branthwaite move the other way to join the Champions League qualifiers.
Stones featured in 95 games for Everton, scoring once against Manchester United, whilst 'special' star Branthwaite has racked up 86 appearances and his giant nature has seen him nab four goals - and at the age of just 22, the lumbering defender could find his way to Guardiola's side with a solo England appearance under his belt.
Report: Everton and Man City Could Complete Branthwaite and Stones Swap
The Toffees are wanting to bolster their squad whilst City are looking to add superstar additions
john stones
john stones
The report by The Sun states that both Everton and City are expected to have busy transfer windows - and that could see a deal between the two clubs spring into life, with Stones potentially making a switch back to the blue half of Merseyside in order to keep his hopes of a World Cup place alive.
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Jarrad Branthwaite's Premier League statistics - Everton squad ranking
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Stones, described as a 'Rolls Royce' by teammate Jack Grealish, joined City under Pep Guardiola after shining as a ball-playing defender at Goodison Park, costing the club £47.5million almost nine years ago. Although the Spanish boss rates him as one of Europe's best centre-backs and is happy to keep him at the Etihad Stadium, he is aware that the last two seasons have seen Stones struggle with injuries.
As a result, he's faded away from the England squad and Stones knows he must force his way back into Thomas Tuchel's thoughts - which he would garner with a return to Merseyside, despite being on an eye-watering £250,000-per-week at the former Premier League champions.
Everton, with new owners The Friedkin Group guiding them through the summer transfer window, won't immediately sanction that amount of money for someone of Stones' age and injury problems to join David Moyes' squad. However, Guardiola is believed to be willing to let Stones leave at a cut-price fee to leave wriggle room on personal terms - and that money saved could put them in command to sign Branthwaite.
City are 'long-term' admirers of the former Carlisle United youngster, and although he's a summer target for most Premier League clubs, they would hope that allowing Everton to take Stones would give them leverage in a deal for Branthwaite, who appears to be a long-term replacement for the Barnsley academy graduate.
Statistics courtesy of WhoScored. Correct as of 02-06-25.
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