(Credit: Imago)

James Murray

Sat 28 March 2026 8:00, UK

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John Stones is likely to be “talking to other clubs” ahead of his anticipated exit from Manchester City this summer.

That is according to former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider the England international will not have his contract renewed at the Etihad Stadium.

It means Stones appears to be heading into his final few months with Pep Guardiola’s side, with his deal set to expire on 30 June.

The 31-year-old has been restricted to just 15 appearances this season, while he’s been left on the bench for crucial games recently.

Man City strengthened their defensive options with the signing of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace in the January transfer window, with that deal appearing to move Stones down the pecking order.

Why Pep Guardiola may have ‘concerns’ about John Stones

Stones has been linked with Everton in recent weeks as he assesses his options ahead of his contract expiring in the next few months.

The centre-back joined Man City from the Toffees in a £50million deal back in the summer of 2016.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson discussed the possibility of Man City extending Stones’s deal at the Etihad.

“I think that ship has sailed,” said Borson.

“I mean, there’s either frustration or concerns about his fitness. It’s hard to know which it is, whether Pep is in some way sort of annoyed or disappointed in his fitness, but he’s been on the bench for the last few games and not come on.

“They were massive games. The two Real Madrid games, the West Ham game. He could have easily played if he’d been fully fit. He wasn’t even in the squad at West Ham. One thought that I think some people had was, ‘Well, maybe the plan is that he can actually play at home to Real Madrid’. But sure enough, that wasn’t the case.”

Why Stones has no future at Man City

Borson insisted he doesn’t see a future for Stones at Man City due to his lack of opportunities recently.

“It’s a very odd situation really,” said Borson.

“A player of his quality who is apparently fit enough to be on the bench, then doesn’t get chosen at West Ham and doesn’t come off the bench in the other games. I have to say, it’s got the look of a situation that is more than just a tactical thing. I think there are some concerns about his fitness.

“Anyway, top and bottom of it is, if he’s not playing now at all with his quality and not even on the bench against West Ham, I don’t see any future for him at City. I think there is no chance at all that City will renew, and he’s probably talking to other clubs as we speak.”