England defender John Stones is reportedly in advanced discussions to join Inter Milan on a free transfer. The centre-half became a free agent at the end of June after his departure from Manchester City.
Inter Milan, the reigning Serie A champions, have held positive talks with the 32-year-old. Reports suggest they are currently leading the race to secure his signature on a two-year contract. This development comes amidst significant interest from other prominent European clubs.
European Interest and Contract Details
Several top clubs across Europe, including Chelsea and Juventus, had shown major interest in Stones. Arsenal also registered interest in the defender. However, Sky in Italy reports that Stones has verbally agreed to a move to Inter Milan.
The representatives of the England defender are now expected to finalise the terms of his two-year deal with the Italian club. Juventus had made contact with Stones’ camp over the weekend, indicating the broad appeal of the player.
Inter Milan was aware of the considerable interest from other clubs and actively worked to secure a deal for the defender. The club is reportedly pushing hard for Stones, even as they consider other defensive targets.
Stones’ Career and Injury Concerns
Stones joined Manchester City in 2016 from Everton. During his time with City, he made 295 appearances. His tenure at the club was marked by significant success, contributing to multiple trophy wins.
With Manchester City, Stones helped secure six Premier League titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups, five League Cups, three Community Shields, the Club World Cup, and the Uefa Super Cup. He was a key part of a highly successful era for the club.
Despite his achievements, there have been questions regarding Stones’ fitness history. In his final campaign at the Etihad Stadium, he was limited to just 15 appearances across all competitions due to injuries. He was also limited to 439 Premier League minutes in the season prior to his departure due to thigh, calf, and muscular issues.
In another disrupted campaign before that, Stones played only 547 minutes. Across his 10 seasons at Manchester City, the former Everton defender did not play more than 59 per cent of Premier League minutes in any single season.
International Career and Future Prospects
Stones has earned 93 international caps for England. He was also a member of the England squad that achieved a third-place finish at the World Cup. His impressive performances at the World Cup had reportedly put London clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea on alert.
Arsenal, in particular, might be looking for a new centre-back after an injury concern to William Saliba during this summer’s tournament. Chelsea also had Stones on their centre-back shortlist as they aimed to strengthen their defensive depth.
However, it appears that both Premier League sides may miss out on Stones, with widespread reports indicating his move to Inter Milan is progressing. The deal is reportedly on track to be completed by the end of this week, with some reports suggesting an agreement is already in place for his switch to the San Siro.
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Source: bbc.com
