Manchester City defender John Stones has been linked with a move away from the club during the summer transfer window.
According to an update by French journalist Sebastien Vidal, John Stones, who cost Manchester City £47.5 million, has now made a definite decision on his future, and he wishes to stay at the Premier League club despite not being a regular starter.
The English international has been linked with multiple clubs in recent months. It will be interesting to see if he can convince Pep Guardiola to give him ample opportunities next season. There is no doubt that he has been a quality performer in the Premier League over the years.
However, Manchester City have outgrown him, and they have enough depth in their defensive unit. Stones will struggle for regular game time if he stays at the club. Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol are ahead of him in the pecking order.
John Stones should move on this summer
With the World Cup coming up next year, the decision to stay at Manchester City could be a poor one for the England international. The 31-year-old needs to play regularly to start for his country in the upcoming World Cup. A move away from Manchester City would have been ideal for him.
Meanwhile, his decision to continue at the club will certainly be a huge boost for Manchester City. They need more quality and depth in the squad if they want to do well across multiple competitions, and having an experienced backup option like Stones could prove to be priceless.
In addition, he is capable of slotting into multiple roles and his versatility will be an added bonus. It will be interesting to see how the situation develops over the next few days. Stones is at the peak of his career, and sitting on the bench at Manchester City will not benefit him. He should look to join a club where he will play every week.
The English international has been an exceptional performer for Manchester City since joining the club, and he has helped them win major trophies. But the time is right for both parties to go their separate ways.
Manchester City might also look to recoup some money from his departure and invest it into the playing squad. The 31-year-old Englishman is in the final year of his contract, and he will move on as a free agent next summer.