John Stones set for Everton transfer after free agency deal clears path

John Stones is on the brink of joining Everton on a free transfer after the centre-back turned down a reported £6.8 million move to Napoli.

Everton can now push hard for Stones after he left Manchester City when his contract expired in June. The 32-year-old spent the season with City and is now weighing his next move. Stones remains an England regular and is set to play in Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina, with a potential final on Sunday. That schedule leaves the door open for a transfer this summer.

David Moyes is rebuilding at Goodison Park after a poor end to last season. The Toffees have already added Merlin Rohl and Tyrique George on permanent deals, plus Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough. Stones would bring Premier League pedigree and World Cup experience to a side needing steel. Former scout Bryan King called the defender a “priority” target and labelled a Stones deal a “major coup.”

Stones thrived at Everton from 2013 to 2016 under Moyes and then Ronald Koeman. His arrival could mirror Jack Grealish’s impact last summer, when the winger sparked Aston Villa’s upturn. The defender’s technical quality and leadership would shore up a defence still leaking goals. Everton’s hierarchy sees him as the missing piece for a push up the table.

Stones is weighing multiple offers after snubbing Napoli, which failed to meet his £6.8 million salary demand. He remains on the hunt for a club and could finalise a deal once the World Cup ends. Everton’s window to strike closes fast, but the chance to bring a World Cup semi-finalist back to Merseyside may not wait.