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. Reports suggest that the Serie A champions have engaged in positive talks with the 32-year-old, and they are understood to be leading the pursuit for the player.
Stones is expected to finalise terms on a two-year contract with the Italian club. This move comes amidst significant interest from several clubs across Europe, including Chelsea, Arsenal, and Juventus.
Inter Milan leading the race
Inter Milan has been actively working to secure a deal for Stones, despite the widespread interest from other prominent clubs. According to reports from Sky in Italy, Stones has verbally agreed to the move. His representatives are now set to finalise the details of his two-year contract with Inter.
Juventus had also made contact with the England defender’s camp over the weekend, indicating the competitive nature of the transfer market for the experienced player. Both Chelsea and Arsenal in the Premier League had also registered their interest in acquiring Stones‘ services.
The potential acquisition of Stones is a key focus for Inter Milan. While there has been interest in Tottenham Hotspur captain Cristian Romero, who is considered a top defensive target by head coach Christian Chivu, the cost associated with a deal for Romero is anticipated to be substantial. There is a possibility for Inter to sign both Romero and Stones if Benjamin Pavard departs, but currently, Stones is the primary target for the Italian champions.
Career achievements and injury concerns
During his time at Manchester City, which he joined from Everton in 2016 for a fee of £47.5m, Stones made 295 appearances. He played a crucial role in the club’s success, contributing to multiple trophy wins. His honours with City include 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.
The former Barnsley defender has also earned 93 international caps for England and was part of the squad that secured a third-place finish at the World Cup. His impressive performances at the tournament reportedly put London clubs on alert.
However, concerns have been raised regarding Stones‘ fitness history. He was limited to only 439 Premier League minutes last season due to thigh, calf, and muscular injuries. In the campaign prior to that, he played only 547 minutes, indicating a disrupted period. Throughout his 10 seasons at Manchester City, he did not play more than 59 per cent of Premier League minutes in any single season.
Arsenal, in particular, may be in the market for a new centre-back after an injury concern to William Saliba during this summer’s tournament. Saliba was forced off in France‘s semi-final match against Spain with a back problem. Chelsea also has Stones on their centre-back shortlist as they aim to strengthen their defensive depth, with reports indicating that a deal for Stones is on track to be completed by the end of this week.
Source: bbc.com