Chelsea targets John Stones on free transfer as Premier League clubs circle ex-Manchester City defender

John Stones, the man Manchester City once paid £47.5 million to acquire from Everton, is now available for the low, low price of zero. The 32-year-old England defender officially became a free agent on July 1 after his contract at the Etihad expired, ending a decade-long run that included six Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy. Chelsea is among the clubs seriously considering adding him to their squad.

According to BBC Sport and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea has Stones firmly on their radar as a free-agent target this summer. He won’t cost a penny in transfer fees. The only negotiations left are personal terms and contract length.

A free agent with a trophy cabinet most clubs would envy

During his time at Manchester City, which began with that big-money move from Everton in August 2016, he collected six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, three EFL Cups, and the UEFA Champions League as part of City’s historic treble in the 2022-23 season.

Stones was a player Pep Guardiola transformed from a talented but error-prone young defender into one of the most technically gifted center-backs in world football. His ability to step into midfield, something Guardiola famously deployed during key matches, made him more than just a conventional defender.

Born on May 28, 1994, Stones is now 32, and injuries increasingly disrupted his final seasons at City. The club’s decision to let his contract run down rather than offer an extension tells its own story.

Chelsea’s defensive calculus

Chelsea isn’t the only club circling. Inter Milan and Juventus have both been linked with Stones, creating a three-way competition for his signature.

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