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Stones to Inter
John Stones has left Manchester City after spending a decade at the Etihad Stadium and is now set to join Inter Milan on a free transfer, with reports describing a two-year deal.
“England defender John Stones is in advanced talks with Inter Milan about joining the Italian side on a free transfer”
The London Evening Standard said the Gunners and Chelsea faced a transfer blow as Stones was in advanced talks with Inter Milan, while Fabrizio Romano reported an agreement in place for the defender to complete his switch to the San Siro on a two-year deal.
Sky Sports said Stones has verbally agreed to join Inter on a free transfer and that his representatives are now set to finalise terms with Inter over a two-year contract.
The Manchester Evening News added that the 32-year-old is set to sign a two-year contract with his representatives finalising the terms of a deal, and it said the parties are hopeful the transfer will be completed by the end of the week.
Arsenal, Chelsea, and rivals
Arsenal and Chelsea were both linked to Stones as they looked to reinforce their squads, with the Evening Standard saying the Gunners could be in the market for a new centre-back after William Saliba was forced off in France’s semi-final against Spain with a back problem.
The Manchester Evening News said Stones was also said to be contacted by Juventus over the weekend, having drawn interest from Premier League clubs Arsenal and Chelsea.
The Guardian reported that Inter are closing in on signing Stones as a free transfer after the 32-year-old defender left Manchester City in June, and it said Arsenal’s William Saliba is out for an extended period with a back injury.
In Italy, Sky Sports said interest remains in Spurs captain Cristian Romero, who is head coach Christian Chivu's top defensive target, while Goal said Inter’s pursuit of Stones could shape the club’s wider defensive plans if Benjamin Pavard leaves.
Money, fitness, and timing
Multiple outlets tied the Inter move to a two-year contract and a reported salary figure, with Football365 citing Fabrizio Romano that Stones and Inter have reached an agreement on a two-year deal, with the option of an extra 12 months.
“Inter has secured the first, crucial green light in the race for John Stones”
Football365 also said Stones will undergo a medical in Milan soon and that he will be on a salary of €4m (£3.4m) per season, while the La Gazzetta dello Sport described an offer of a contract biennale a 4 milioni di euro a stagione.
Sky Sports said there may be questions over Stones' fitness history, noting he was limited to only 439 Premier League minutes last season due to thigh, calf and muscular injuries, and it added he only played 547 minutes in another disrupted campaign before that.
As the deal approaches completion, the Manchester Evening News said Stones could be unveiled in time for Inter's friendly clash with City on Saturday, and it quoted Stones reflecting on his City exit: “It’s tough, but at the same time, I can look back on the 10 years and I’m so proud of what I’ve achieved and what I’ve done here.”
