Manchester City defender John Stones is attracting interest from several clubs across Europe and the United States as he prepares to become a free agent this summer, with Everton and Bayern Munich emerging as leading contenders for his signature. The 31-year-old is set to leave the Etihad Stadium at the end of his contract, bringing an end to a successful spell with the Premier League champions.
Despite recent injury setbacks, Stones remains highly regarded for his tactical intelligence, versatility, and experience at the highest level. Everton are particularly keen on re-signing the England international, nearly a decade after he departed Goodison Park. Manager David Moyes views Stones as a player capable of adding leadership and Premier League quality to his squad as the Toffees prepare for a move into their new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton are expected to prioritize value opportunities in the transfer market, focusing on free agents and loan deals as they reshape their squad. Stones is considered an ideal opportunity due to his availability and experience, with the club also exploring moves for other experienced players like Matt Targett and Kieran Trippier to provide depth. There is even reported interest in bringing Jack Grealish back to Merseyside on loan.
However, Everton face competition from Bayern Munich, where manager Vincent Kompany is a known admirer of Stones. Kompany believes Stones’ technical quality and experience in possession-based systems would be a valuable addition to the Bundesliga champions’ squad. Bayern have had success integrating English players like Harry Kane and Eric Dier into their team and see Stones as another player who could adapt quickly to German football.
Further interest is coming from across Europe, with Napoli, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Monaco, and Serie A side Como all exploring a potential move for the defender. Additionally, clubs in Major League Soccer have also expressed interest in acquiring Stones, seeking to add experienced European talent to their leagues. Stones remains a part of the England national team setup and is expected to travel to North America for the summer internationals, confident in his ability to continue performing at a high level.
