Everton ready to take gamble on re-signing John Stones: ‘From what I hear…’
John Stones looks increasingly likely to leave Man City on a free transfer this summer and Everton are now prepared to take a gamble on his fitness.
The 31-year-old has scarcely featured under Pep Guardiola this season due to repeated injury issues which have seen him miss a significant chunk of the season.
Those issues have raised concerns among interested clubs who believe in his quality but have not been convinced by his lack of availability this term.
However, Brown told Football Insider that Everton are prepared to make a move for Stones and hope they can manage his minutes and fitness if he is brought in.
David Moyes is keen to add experience, quality and depth to his squad this summer as Everton prepare for an ambitious transfer window to build on their success.
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VISIT THE EVERTON TRANSFER HUBCould Everton complete a deal to sign John Stones?
Football Insider revealed on 24 February that Everton are weighing up an offer for Stones, although it may prove to be a difficult deal to do.
Stones is currently on a significant contract at the Etihad Stadium, and it is understood that he may look to net a sizeable signing-on fee as part of his next move.
| John Stones 2025-26 Stats | Premier League | Champions League | FA Cup | Carabao Cup |
| Appearances | 7 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Starts | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Minutes Played | 353 | 343 | 155 | 117 |
However, should a deal be achievable for the Toffees, there is a growing feeling they could be prepared to gamble on his fitness in the summer.
“The only concern about John Stones, and it’s a big one, is his fitness,” Brown told Football Insider.
“Everybody agreed that when he’s fit, he is a top-class footballer who would improve most teams in the country, but if that was the case he’d be staying at City.
“The problem he has is he barely plays more than 20 games per season at the moment and that’s going to be a major concern for any interested club.
“Everton have been looking at bringing him back, but again the doubt has always been whether it’s worth it given the money they’d be paying him.
“From what I hear, though, they might be willing to take that gamble on him.
“They’ll have to manage his minutes carefully to make sure they don’t put more pressure on him, but if they can do that and keep him fit, it would be a great signing.
“David Moyes wants to add experience and quality to his side, and Stones brings plenty of that with everything he’s done at Man City.
“So it’s just about weighing that up against his availability, but if they do decide he is worth it, it’s definitely a deal I can see them going for.”
How does Stones feel about re-joining Everton?
There have previously been doubts about Stones’ willingness to return to Merseyside, as he has previously attracted interest from a number of Europe’s top clubs.
However, former Toffees CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider last month that Stones would welcome a return to Everton and he could go straight into the starting XI.
The centre-back’s availability has placed a number of clubs on alert, with Everton chief among them, and a reunion could now be on the cards.
Bayern Munich were once linked with a move for the England international, which would have seen him link up with his former Man City teammate Vincent Kompany.
However, that interest is believed to have cooled due to his lack of playing time, potentially opening the door for Everton to make a move unchallenged.
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