Juventus have reignited their interest in signing John Stones, who is currently a free agent following the conclusion of his successful spell at Manchester City. The England international, having won 19 titles with City, is seeking a new challenge to reinvigorate his career. According to reports in Italy, Juventus have identified the central defender as a target following the recent arrivals of Jeff Ekhator and Zeki Celik.
Stones is reportedly intrigued by the prospect of moving away from the Premier League, the only league he has played in throughout his professional career. Bringing Stones to Turin would undoubtedly inject a winning mentality into the Juventus squad, given his extensive trophy haul with Manchester City, including a recent Champions League title and Premier League treble. Beyond his experience, Stones possesses the versatility to play as a defensive midfielder, a role he fulfilled effectively under Pep Guardiola.
The 29-year-old arrived at Manchester City in 2016, signing a six-year contract and bolstering the team’s defensive options alongside Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi. Under Guardiola’s guidance, Stones flourished, winning six Premier League titles – four consecutively – the Champions League, and numerous other domestic honours. He also became a regular feature for the England national team, though success at the international level has eluded him. He recently featured in five games at the recent World Cup, including a full 90 minutes against Argentina in the semi-final.
Guardiola consistently showed faith in Stones, even during periods where his performances were criticised for risky passing. The City manager publicly defended the player, praising his personality and courage on the ball. Stones himself has spoken highly of Guardiola’s influence, crediting the manager with improving all aspects of his game. However, Stones has struggled with injuries throughout his career, leading him to contemplate retirement at one point. He spent significant time on the sidelines in recent seasons, raising questions about his long-term fitness.
Juventus face competition from other Premier League clubs for Stones’ signature, but the Italian side are considered a concrete possibility for the player. Stones previously faced Juventus in a friendly match while playing for Everton in 2013, memorably scoring a cheeky penalty against Marco Storari. He also featured in a Manchester City side that defeated Juventus 5-2 at the Club World Cup in 2025, though he did not play in that particular match. A memorable moment for Italian fans also occurred during the Champions League final against Inter Milan, where Stones was seen telling Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni to “Brush your teeth” after a clash.
