Arsenal
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Abdukodir Khusanov of Manchester Metropolis is substituted off for John Stones (Photograph by Michael Regan/Getty Photos)
It could possibly be the top of an period at Manchester Metropolis this summer season as I’m now listening to of main doubts about one in every of their long-serving star gamers alongside the continued hypothesis surrounding Pep Guardiola.
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Based on my sources, as first reported right here for the Day by day Briefing, it appears more and more like John Stones is not going to be supplied a brand new contract, together with his present deal on the Etihad Stadium as a consequence of expire on the finish of this season.
There appears to be an acceptance that it’s time for each Metropolis and Stones to half methods, and a few suitors could have already got established early contacts to sound out the participant.
The 31-year-old is technically already free to speak to golf equipment from overseas, and quite a few sources have named potential locations for him in Europe.
One identify developing loads is Bayern Munich, who’re eager to discover low cost choices to strengthen their depth in defence.
“Bayern have already began strikes behind the scenes to steer Stones,” one supply mentioned. “His outdated teammate Vincent Kompany could possibly be key, as may one other England participant in Harry Kane, however a closing resolution received’t occur now.”
Stones can be understood to have had contacts from Atletico Madrid and AC Milan, however his focus for now’s serving to Metropolis finish this season as strongly as attainable as they put together to tackle Arsenal in each the Premier League title race and the ultimate of the Carabao Cup.
In the meantime, I’m additionally advised {that a} potential return to Everton is a non-starter as a consequence of Stones’ wage calls for, so I wouldn’t learn an excessive amount of into that hypothesis for now.
Metropolis strengthened their defence by bringing in Marc Guehi this January and additional spending appears doubtless for the summer season as an skilled squad participant like Stones would absolutely want changing.
