Everton are in the race to sign John Stones this summer.
The England international will definitely be leaving Manchester City when his contract expires at the end of the season, having only made 15 appearances across all competitions due to injuries this term.
This lack of match fitness has raised some doubts over whether it would make sense for Everton to bring John Stones back to Merseyside – but The Athletic have now eased those fears after sharing what sources close to the defender are saying.
Do Everton still need to add a new centre-back this summer? 🤔
Everton defender Michael Keane.
Credit: Getty Images/Chris Brunskill/Fantasista
Everton told John Stones is fitter than it seems as “professional sprinter” comparison made
The 31-year-old earns £250,000-a-week at Manchester City, so The Friedkin Group need to be absolutely sure he is available to play more often than not if a deal were to materialise.
However, people close to Stones are insistent that he still moves “fantastically well” and has even been compared to a professional sprinter as he pushes himself to become quicker.
It offers David Moyes a shred of encouragement over what does admittedly still seem a very risky deal.
Everton just handed Michael Keane a new deal which seemingly involved a pay rise on his £80,000-a-week salary, but it remains to be seen if that turns out to be a wise investment considering he turns 34 next term and only managed 11 Premier League starts last season.
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Jarrad Branthwaite is also injured and faces a race against time to be back for the start of pre-season, so Moyes will want to avoid having two injury-prone defenders in his squad amid tentative interest in Stones.
Perhaps the Manchester City No.5 could make himself more appealing to Everton by offering to take a pay cut on his current £250,000-a-week salary, but with UEFA Champions League clubs also said to be interested, he may actually receive opportunities to remain on the same wages.
Would a return for John Stones on a free make any sense for Everton? 🧐
His experience could prove priceless! 🏆
John Stones lifts the Premier League trophy for Manchester City.
Credit: Getty Images/Justin Setterfield
Ultimately, Everton need to make a decision soon, having already missed out on one target in Marco Senesi to Tottenham as other clubs begin to make progress with their summer recruitment plans.
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