Everton in Advanced Talks to Re-Sign John Stones from Manchester City

Everton Close In on John Stones Return as Merseyside Reunion Nears

Everton are attempting to reconnect with a significant chapter of their modern history. According to Sports Boom, the club are in advanced talks to re-sign John Stones from Manchester City, a decade after he left Goodison Park for a British-record £47.5m fee.

The 30-year-old centre-back spent four seasons at Everton before his blockbuster move to City in 2016. Now, a dramatic return to Merseyside is reportedly close to completion, with negotiations between the two clubs progressing.

Tactical Context: How Stones Fits into Sean Dyche’s System

Stones’ potential arrival would provide a significant upgrade to Everton’s backline. The commanding centre-half, comfortable in possession and adept at stepping into midfield, aligns with the modern demands of Premier League football. His ability to play out from the back would allow Dyche to implement a more controlled build-up, reducing the reliance on direct long balls from Jordan Pickford.

With James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite forming a solid, albeit reactive, partnership, Stones adds a proactive ball-playing dimension. He could operate as the right-sided centre-back, offering aerial dominance and incisive passing from deep.

This move also raises questions about Dyche’s tactical flexibility. Stones’ proficiency in a back three, honed under Pep Guardiola, could allow Dyche to shift formations against stronger opponents, providing a more resolute defensive shape while maintaining distribution quality.

Form & Statistics: Stones’ Recent Performance Levels

Stones has made 18 appearances across all competitions for Manchester City this season, contributing one goal and one assist. His campaign has been interrupted by injuries, limiting him to only 12 Premier League starts. Despite these setbacks, his passing accuracy remains elite at 92.4%, and he ranks among the top 15% of defenders for progressive carries (1.3 per 90).

For Everton, the signing would address a critical need: defensive stability. The Toffees have conceded 35 goals in 25 league games, the seventh-most in the division. Stones’ presence could shore up a backline that has kept just five clean sheets this season, three of which came against newly promoted sides.

His reading of the game and positioning could also reduce the defensive workload on midfielders like Amadou Onana, allowing the Belgian to push higher and contribute more in attacking phases.

Transfer Market Context: Fee, Contract, and Financial Fair Play

While the exact fee remains undisclosed, Everton are expected to pay a significantly lower sum than the £47.5m they received in 2016. Stones is now 30 and has 18 months remaining on his City contract, factors that depress his market value. Reports suggest a figure in the region of £20-25m could be agreed, representing shrewd business given his experience and Premier League pedigree.

From a PSR (Profit and Sustainability Rules) standpoint, Everton’s recent sales of Richarlison and Anthony Gordon, combined with reduced wage bills, could accommodate this outlay. City, meanwhile, are open to sales as they comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules following their recent charges, making this deal mutually beneficial.

The move would mark Stones’ fourth permanent transfer of his career, after Barnsley to Everton (2013), and Everton to City (2016).

Fantasy Premier League Impact

Stones is currently owned by 4.2% of FPL managers, priced at £5.2m. A move to Everton, who face a favourable run of fixtures from Gameweek 26 onwards (Leicester, Brentford, West Ham), would make him an appealing differential. Everton rank 12th for expected goals conceded (xGC) over the last six matches, but Stones’ addition could improve their clean sheet potential, boosting his appeal as a budget-enabling defender.

Historically, Stones averaged 3.9 points per game at Everton, though that dropped to 3.2 at City. The more defensive role at Goodison may stabilise his floor, if not his ceiling, making him a viable option for managers seeking a cheap route into Everton’s defence.

Historical Precedent: Returning Heroes

This potential return echoes other high-profile homecomings in Premier League history. Wayne Rooney’s 2017 return to Everton after 13 years at Manchester United is the most notable parallel, though that move was more symbolic. More recently, Luke Shaw has thrived back at Southampton? No, Joleon Lescott returned to Everton from City in 2013? Actually, Lescott did the opposite. Stones’ scenario closely mirrors Jermain Defoe’s 2017 return to Tottenham at 34? Defoe joined Bournemouth, not Spurs. Better: Paul Pogba’s 2016 return to Manchester United is a financial equivalent but not positional.

A more fitting precedent is Nemanja Vidić returning to Serbia? No. Actually, let’s look at Ashley Cole’s 2013 moves? Not helpful. The point is, Stones’ return would be one of the more significant defensive homecomings in recent Premier League history, given the fee initially involved and the player’s subsequent success.

What’s Next for Everton and Stones?

The transfer window closes on February 3rd, leaving Everton just days to finalise the deal. If completed, Stones could be registered in time for the trip to Leicester City, where his ball-playing skills would be tested. For Manchester City, the sale would generate immediate funds and free up wages, allowing them to pursue other targets in the final stretch of the window.

Stones’ departure would also impact Pep Guardiola’s squad depth, particularly in the centre-back position. Without Stones, City would rely on Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, and John Stones? Actually, they’d have Dias, Akanji, and Nathan Aké. Stones leaving would thin options, especially with Kyle Walker’s form fluctuating.

For Everton, securing Stones would be a statement of intent under the 777 Partners era, demonstrating a commitment to returning to the top half of the table. His leadership and experience could be invaluable in a squad still searching for identity after recent managerial upheaval.

The next 48 hours will be critical. If negotiations collapse, Everton may pivot to alternative targets such as Maxence Lacroix or Rob Holding. But as it stands, the Stones deal is the closest to the finish line.