Stones agrees to Inter Milan move
England international John Stones has verbally agreed to join Inter Milan on a free transfer. The former Manchester City defender is expected to finalise a two-year contract with the Serie A club. This development comes despite interest from Premier League clubs Arsenal and Chelsea, who had reportedly registered their interest in the player.
Stones’ representatives are now in the process of finalising the terms of the agreement with Inter. The Italian champions were aware of the significant interest from other clubs and worked to secure a deal for the 32-year-old defender. His availability as a free agent after leaving Manchester City upon the expiry of his contract made him a highly sought-after player across Europe.
During his time at Manchester City, Stones spent 10 seasons at the Etihad Stadium. He was part of a successful era, securing six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, three League Cups, and the 2022-23 Champions League. His departure from City marks the end of a significant period in his career.
Premier League and Serie A interest
Both Arsenal and Chelsea had been monitoring Stones’ situation. Arsenal, in particular, might be looking for defensive reinforcements after William Saliba sustained a back problem during the recent World Cup semi-final. Saliba had reportedly been playing through pain for months to help Arsenal in their pursuit of the Premier League and Champions League titles.
Chelsea also had Stones on their centre-back shortlist as they aim to strengthen their defensive depth. The club is reportedly looking to add to their squad, with Maxence Lacroix set for a move from Crystal Palace and Marco Palestra joining as a versatile full-back option. They are also interested in Pep Chevarria, a left-back from Rayo Vallecano.
In Italy, Juventus also made contact with Stones’ camp over the weekend, indicating a strong competition for his signature. Reports suggest that Stones is seriously considering a move to Italy, viewing it as an opportunity for a fresh challenge in his career. The chance to acquire a player of his calibre without a transfer fee has made him a top priority for both Italian giants, who believe his composure and tactical intelligence could significantly enhance their defensive lines.
Fitness concerns and future prospects
Despite his recent performances for England at the World Cup, where he made five appearances and started three matches, including the quarter-final and semi-final, questions have been raised about Stones’ fitness history. He was limited to only 439 Premier League minutes last season due to thigh, calf, and muscular injuries. The campaign before that was also disrupted, with him playing just 547 minutes.
Throughout his 10 seasons at Manchester City, the former Everton defender never played more than 59 per cent of the available Premier League minutes in any single season. This injury history could influence the terms of any contract he signs. However, his stock remains high across Europe, with elite clubs seeing his availability as a unique market opportunity.
Inter Milan is also reportedly interested in Spurs captain Cristian Romero, who is head coach Christian Chivu’s top defensive target. The cost of a potential deal for Romero is expected to be substantial. There is a possibility for Inter to sign both Romero and Stones if Benjamin Pavard departs, but as of now, Inter is primarily focused on securing Stones.
Source: skysports.com
