John Stones makes transfer decision amid Manchester City exit speculation | OneFootball

Manchester City defender John Stones has addressed ongoing speculation linking him with a possible departure from the club as he enters the final year of his contract.

The 31-year-old endured a frustrating 2024-25 campaign marred with recurring injuries that kept him on the sidelines for a significant part of what turned out to be Manchester City’s most difficult season under Pep Guardiola.

Stones, who joined Manchester City from Everton for £47.5 million, has won six Premier League titles amongst a plethora of success at the Etihad Stadium, playing starring roles in the 2017-18, 2020-21 and 2022-23 seasons in particular.

However, there is no hiding from the fact that the England international’s injury record at Manchester City has deterred him from realising his true potential, having amassed 297 appearances in nine seasons in sky blue.

City have let Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker and Scott Carson go this summer and Guardiola is hopeful that the board – led by director of football Hugo Viana – will offload several more first-team names before the transfer window shuts on September 1.

James McAtee, Jack Grealish and Kalvin Phillips are firmly expected to find new clubs before the window closes, with Stefan Ortega Moreno also set to leave permanently after Manchester City’s £27 million acquisition of James Trafford from Burnley.

Ederson is expected to stay into the final year of his current deal, with Ilkay Gundogan also hopeful of staying at the Etihad Stadium despite strong interest from Galatasaray, who are believed to have agreed personal terms with Ederson, who remains open to a departure.

City have sent Vitor Reis on loan to Girona for the 2025-26 campaign, with no current expectation for further exits – whether on loan or permanently – in the remaining list of options in central defence – despite rumours linking Stones with an exit.

After recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in the second leg of Manchester City’s 6-2 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 stage in February, Stones has travelled to Italy for his side’s final pre-season friendly against Palermo on Saturday evening.

In an interview with Corriere dello Sport, as relayed by Sport Witness, the England centre-half has addressed speculation around his future at Manchester City as he enters the final 12 months of his contract.

“The rumours I hear are ridiculous. This is my home. I’d like to stay,” Stones said. On leaving Manchester City, the defender added: “Maybe never, and I’m a little emotional.”

“I had hoped for it, maybe dreamed of it. The team was already strong (when Stones joined in 2016). There were (Sergio) Agüero, (Kevin) De Bruyne, (David) Silva, Yaya Touré,” Stones said on the success he has enjoyed under Guardiola.

“But the number of trophies we won was unpredictable – and I never, ever imagined I’d be part of the best team in the world for so many years. I’m extremely proud of that.”