Everton must battle challenges if they are interested in bringing John Stones back to Merseyside amid Manchester City exit claims.
John Stones could end up attracting some important clubs ahead of the summer as he may be close to a Manchester City exit. As per Sebastià Vidal, the defender is being considered by Everton over a return to Merseyside, with the club exploring the possibility of a move in the summer.
John Stones will be one of the high-profile free agents in the summer, amid exit rumours from Manchester City. The defender has endured yet another injury-hit season, which has seen him fall down the pecking order and miss out on key games.
Stones’s unavailability for key games could affect his World Cup chances, as Manchester City may not offer him a new deal. As things stand, the defender will leave on a free transfer, with teams like Bayern Munich reportedly considering a move.
Everton are interested too, and Sebastian Vidal states they are monitoring his situation and considering a return of their former star. The Toffees are aware of the challenges in signing Stones, but recently they have shown the knack to make the right investments, even if it is a bit higher than they would have wanted.
However, they remain linked with Jack Grealish following his ongoing loan spell, and their ambition to sign the winger indicates their broader aspirations. Everton are aware of Stones’s salary range, although the concern is with the defender’s injury record, which raises the question of whether they want to take a risk on the Manchester City utility man.
What next for John Stones?
Stones is reportedly open to an Everton return, which could push the club towards exploring a deal. There certainly isn’t a question about talent, but the injuries could make every suitor think twice before investing big in the defender.
There’s no discounting the idea of more clubs entering the frame due to his availability on a free transfer. Everton are currently the one most interested, as they will decide on the next steps in this pursuit. For now, Stones will be eager to find minutes at Manchester City and give himself a good chance of earning England selection for the World Cup.