DEAL DONE IMMINENT; Everton Ready to Move for £312,500-a-Week Premier League Star as Contact Made

Everton could yet pull off a summer move for Manchester City stalwart John Stones, with reports suggesting David Moyes is keen to strengthen his defence by bringing the former Toffees centre-back back to Merseyside.

Stones spent three and a half years at Everton under Moyes and later Roberto Martínez before completing a near-£50 million switch to Manchester City in 2016.

Since then, he has enjoyed a glittering spell at the Etihad Stadium, collecting six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and a Champions League crown as part of City’s historic treble-winning campaign.

However, with his long tenure at City potentially nearing its conclusion, Everton are believed to be among the clubs interested in offering Stones a route back to familiar surroundings, a decade after his departure.

Stones Considering City Exit as Everton Lead Premier League Chase

According to TEAMtalk, Stones’ representatives are actively exploring a summer exit from Manchester City.

While several clubs from across Europe and beyond have registered their interest in the England international, Everton are reportedly leading the chase among Premier League sides.

The defender is under contract until the end of the season, and any departure would draw the curtain on a ten-year spell in east Manchester.

Recent arrivals such as Josko Gvardiol, Abdukodir Khusanov and fellow England international Marc Guéhi appear to underline Pep Guardiola’s long-term defensive plans, casting doubt over Stones’ future role at the club.

That said, the possibility of him staying at City has not been entirely ruled out, with Stones weighing up his options carefully.

Interest from abroad is strong, and former City captain Vincent Kompany—now in charge of Bayern Munich—is reportedly open to the idea of a reunion in Germany.

Yet Stones, who has spent his entire life in the north of England since moving from Barnsley to Everton prior to his City switch, may prefer to remain close to home. A return to Goodison Park under Moyes could therefore prove appealing.

Moyes was the man who originally brought Stones to Everton in January 2013—his final signing before leaving for Manchester United—and a reunion between player and manager is now a realistic possibility.

Why Stones Could Be a Game-Changer for Everton

Despite his hefty £312,500-per-week wages at City, Stones would represent a major upgrade for Everton’s defence.

His pedigree is unquestionable, having been a regular starter for England at each of the last four major international tournaments, with the potential to feature in a fifth if he maintains his form.

With James Tarkowski and Michael Keane entering the latter stages of their careers, Everton are in a transitional phase at the back.

While Jarrad Branthwaite and Jake O’Brien are viewed as promising long-term options, the chance to add a player of Stones’ calibre would be difficult to ignore.

Beyond the tactical benefits, a return to Merseyside would carry a sense of romance—allowing Stones to come full circle and potentially finish the journey he began under Moyes more than a decade ago, while giving Everton a significant boost in their push towards European contention.