A six-time Premier League champion could now leave Manchester City at the end of the season, according to a new update from journalist Graeme Bailey.
Man City legends set to depart this summer
It has been a season to forget for Pep Guardiola and his players, especially by their high standards, with the defence of their league title petering out early in the campaign. Granted, they can still win the FA Cup, but they haven’t been good enough in the league or in the Champions League.
This summer feels like it could be the end of an era at City, not least because club legend Kevin De Bruyne is moving on, having not agreed an extension at the club – Tottenham ace James Maddison has been mentioned as a replacement option.
The Belgian may be far from the only legend to move on, with the likes of Ederson, John Stones and Bernardo Silva’s futures all up in the air. The City trio are all out of contract at the end of next season, so the club will know that this summer is the last chance for them to earn a fee, rather than losing them on a free transfer in 2026.
Stones backed to leave Man City
Speaking for The Boot Room, Bailey claimed that Stones could depart Manchester City this summer, with the England international potentially leaving alongside De Bruyne, possibly even returning to former club Everton.
“John Stones’s future at Manchester City is far from certain. City are planning a number of new arrivals this summer and we are going to see a number of changes and that means some of the biggest names from the last decade or so could and will depart. Kyle Walker left in January and we know Kevin De Bruyne is going, things are changing.
“Ederson, Bernardo Silva and Stones could follow. Stones has interest from the Saudi Pro League, but in England there are clubs who would be willing to take him including West Ham and his former club Everton to name but two. The issue is with his injury record, less than 10 stars in the last two seasons, it would be a risk for anyone. If he does indeed hit the open market, I believe that Everton would be open to the prospect.”
While losing Stones in the summer would be sad, considering he is a six-time league champion at the Etihad, there is some sense in allowing him to move on. At 30, the Englishman isn’t getting any younger – he turns 31 later this month – and his injury problems are increasingly problematic, limiting him to only six starts in the Premier League this season.
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As mentioned, a summer sale would allow City to receive money for Stones’ services, allowing them to bring in a younger, less injury-prone centre-back ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
