Everton to make approach to Manchester City over centre-back transfer | OneFootball

Manchester City could be subject to an approach from Everton over the possibility of John Stones returning to the Merseyside club this summer, according to reports.

The England international has suffered one of his most difficult seasons as a Manchester City player, sustaining a string of injury and fitness problems that have severely impacted his ability to perform consistently for Pep Guardiola.

Across the course of the 2024/25 season, Stones managed to record just 20 appearances across all competitions at an average of 56.7 minutes of on-field action per outing, although scoring three goals and providing two assists in the process.

The 31-year-old’s latest setback came during the second-leg of Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League last-16 play-off clash against Real Madrid, after he was forced off inside the opening 10 minutes with a muscular injury.

While the versatile central defender did not require surgery on the thigh injury, manager Pep Guardiola confirmed that the player would recovery naturally but would need in excess of 10 weeks on the sidelines before resuming training at any level.

Guardiola has since spoken about the importance of having players at his disposal that can play every three days across the course of the season, thus throwing into doubt the future of Stones and whether he will be part of the club’s plans next season.

Now, according to the information of The Mirror’s Simon Mullock, Everton are ready to sound out Manchester City regarding the possibility of re-signing John Stones this summer, nine years on from leaving them for the Etihad Stadium.

With just one year remaining on his existing City agreement, it is stated that Stones would have to take a pay-cut to join Everton and reunite with David Moyes, while the player’s asking price is ‘unlikely to be prohibitive’.

From the side of Manchester City, club bosses are aware that the England international needs regular football to push for a place in Thomas Tuchel’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad and there are doubts over whether he can continue to cope with playing every three days.

Any deal or sanctioned exit for John Stones is unlikely to see the club return back into the transfer market for an immediate replacement, having signed two new central defenders during the January transfer window.

There is an expectation within the club that Abdukodir Khusanov can become a key figure in Guardiola’s rearguard, while Vitor Reis is very highly-rated and is viewed as a versatile option between central defence and defensive midfield.

City also have talent out on loan with Sierra Leone international Juma Bah viewed as an immensely talented prospect and one that has the potential to make the grade at the Etihad Stadium in future.