John Stones ‘very happy’ to agree Everton deal – Keith Wyness
John Stones could welcome a return to Everton and replace James Tarkowski in the starting line-up.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes a deal could be agreed in the summer.
Stones is out of contract at Manchester City at the end of the season, and could return to Everton where he spent three years before moving to the Etihad.
As Everton push for European football, David Moyes wants to continue strengthening his squad and adding extra depth to certain positions in the next transfer window.
John Stones a ‘successor’ to James Tarkowksi
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes the club is “appealing” to players.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness will find out whether Moyes wants to sign Stones in the summer.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “He knows Moyes very well. I’m sure he’d be very happy to come home.
“And these days, a lot of players, as we’ve seen with Jack Grealish, coming from the Cheshire area where most of them live these days and being able to stay at home and then just move to Everton is a very appealing thought.
“And certainly, look, he’s 31, Tarkowski’s 33. So you’ve got to look at him as being a sort of successor to Tarkowski and having the experience and knowledge to add a lot to the squad.
“But I’m going to be able to find out more in the next couple of weeks and really find out if Moyes really fancies him and see what the feeling is about bringing him over on a free.”
Stones faces transfer decision
Sources told Football Insider that a deal for Everton to sign Stones could be “difficult” to achieve as the 31-year-old may look to net a sizeable signing-on fee.
The defender is also expected to have offers from other Premier League and European clubs, meaning Everton could face competition for his signature.
Stones has only started four Premier League games for Man City this season, and has been an unused substitute in their last three matches.