Everton are reportedly interested in signing 31-year-old Manchester City defender John Stones in the summer transfer window.
John Stones will be out of contract in the summer, and Everton are hoping to bring him back to the club. However, a report from Football Insider has claimed that a deal will be difficult to secure. The England international defender is reportedly on massive wages at Manchester City, and Everton will find it difficult to afford him.
In addition to that, the Manchester City utility man is likely to demand a significant signing-on fee before joining a new club in the summer. It will be interesting to see how the situation develops.
Stones has struggled for regular game time at Manchester City in recent months. He has had multiple injury problems. There is no doubt that he would help Everton improve defensively, but it does not make sense for the Toffees to pay a premium for him. If they can bring him back to the club for a reasonable investment, the deal could be worth doing.
Where will John Stones end up?
Meanwhile, John Stones will be looking to join a competitive team at the end of the season. The player’s contract with Manchester City is up in the summer, and he is unlikely to renew with them. He needs to join a team where he will play regularly and compete at a high-level.
Returning to his boyhood club could be ideal for him. However, he will have to be reasonable with his demands for the move to go through. It will be interesting to see if any top club is willing to provide him with an exit route in the summer. Recent reports have linked Stones with high-profile suitors like Bayern Munich.
The Englishman has been a quality player for Manchester City since joining the club, and he has helped them win several major trophies. He might want to play for an elite club once again. At 31, this could be his final opportunity to secure a big move. It will be interesting to see what the player decides. Meanwhile, Everton need more quality in the defensive unit, and it will be interesting to see if they can find a quality central defender.
