John Stones next club: Odds revealed on Everton return as Man City exit looms
John Stones has been touted to move back to Everton with a potential Man City departure on the horizon this summer.
Stones has struggled for consistent minutes at Man City this season due to recurring injury issues and other players being preferred by Pep Guardiola.
He is a five-time Premier League winner and has been lauded for his impressive performances over the years at the Etihad Stadium, but could well leave this summer as he nears the end of his contract.
The 31-year-old has long been linked with a move back to Everton, having left them after three years to join the Citizens in 2016.
Bayern Munich are also believed to be eyeing a move for Stones, with Vincent Kompany very aware of his former teammate’s abilities, and one of the UK’s leading bookmakers has now priced up odds for his next club.
Everton priced at 10/1 to be John Stones’ next club after Man City
Stones has only made 14 appearances across all competitions for City this season, and last featured in the Premier League against Fulham on 2 December.
City have previously been touted to offer him a new contract, but the more he struggles with fitness, the less likely that seems, and bookies are now offering odds for the club he will be tied to after the summer window.
Bayern currently lead the market at odds of 6/4, while City are up next at 2/1, and AC Milan make up the top three contenders at 4/1.
Everton are not backed by the bookies to strike a deal for Stones, at odds of 10/1 as sixth-favourite behind Inter Milan and Juventus and alongside PSG.
- Read more: Vincent Kompany has already made his feelings clear on John Stones as Bayern Munich eye deal
What has Guardiola said about Stones’ City future?
Even though Guardiola has championed Stones and made him a key asset of City’s dominance over the last 10 years, the end of his time at the Etihad does seem nigh based on the Spaniard’s most recent comments.
When asked about Stones’ future last month, he said: “What happened in the last two seasons will define the decision at the end of the season. I would like to know the answer, but I don’t know.”
Stones has mostly been injured for the last two years, so Guardiola’s comments point to him not being offered a new contract due to his constant problems on that front.
Everton will feel like they are in with a chance of re-signing Stones, given his previous links to the club, but they would likely have to break their wage structure to get a deal over the line.