Everton's chances of signing both Jack Grealish and John Stones permanently rated by ex-Man City employee
John Stones' potential move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium could stop Everton from signing Jack Grealish on a permanent deal.
That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Toffees may have to choose between the two stars because of wages this summer.
Stones is set to leave Man City on a free transfer at the end of the season after spending the last decade at the Etihad Stadium, though his last two campaigns have been frustratingly injury-plagued.
His winger teammate, however, has spent the 2025-26 season on loan on Merseyside, where he became a fan favourite, at least until he picked up an injury that ruled him out until the summer back in January.
Everton warned against a move for John Stones on free transfer
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson has raised red flags over a deal for Stones. The finance expert believes that the Toffees may only have enough to spend on one of them.
"I think it's extremely unlikely that Everton signed both Jack Grealish and John Stones. With the combination of wages, injury record and age, it's not going to work for Everton to have two of them," he said.
| John Stones' recent injuries | Season | Games missed |
| Calf | 2025-26 | 3 |
| Thigh | 2025-26 | 18 |
| Muscle | 2025-26 | 3 |
| Hamstring | 2024-25 | 18 |
| Foot | 2024-25 | 6 |
| Foot | 2024-25 | 5 |
| Unknown | 2024-25 | 5 |
"I don't know where Stones is most likely to go. In the Premier League, maybe a team that finished in the top half this season, maybe a team that's got some European competition next season.
"But it's a big gamble because, although there's no transfer fee, we know that his injury record has been extremely difficult over the last few years, and that's even more so where a team is in Europe.
"So it may be that the best bet for him is abroad, a league that maybe doesn't have the intensity of the Premier League or the number of games."
Manchester City could help Toffees to complete Jack Grealish deal
Given Grealish's start to life on Merseyside, it would make far more sense for the Toffees to go all-in for his signature, rather than waste funds on another defender who may not feature much.
In fact, Borson previously told Football Insider that Man City could subsidise some of Grealish's wages in an attempt to get him off the books, with David Moyes' side told that £15million would be enough to get a deal done.
That would certainly go a long way for Everton, who are pushing to play European football via a high Premier League finish this season, though several clubs are all part of that race right now.
Europa League or even Europa Conference League qualification would play a huge role in sealing some huge transfers this summer, but it doesn't seem like Grealish would need much convincing.