Football
Exclusive: Manchester City Close to Securing John Stones’ Future with New Contract
Manchester City are close to agreeing a new contract with defender John Stones, who has been with the club for a decade. Negotiations have been ongoing, with both parties close to reaching an agreement. Stones, a key player in Pep Guardiola's side, is set to extend his stay at City despite previous interest from Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
Manchester City v Borussia Dortmund - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 by DeFodi Images | Getty Images
Manchester City are close to agreeing a new deal with star defender John Stones, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
The experienced England international is out of contract next summer and the Blues are hungry for him to stay.
Our sources understand negotiations having been going on behind the scenes to sign a new contract, and now both parties are close to agreeing.
Stones and City teammates Phil Foden and Nico O’Reilly were today all selected in England manager Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the November international break.
And season 85-cap international Stones, 31, is still regarded as one of the key players in Pep Guardiola’s side as the gun to win the Premier League title back off arch-rivals Liverpool.
The experienced centre-back, who joined the club for £47.5million plus £2.5m in add-ons in August 2016, has six Premier League titles with City, as well as no fewer than nine more pieces of silverware during a distinguished career at the Etihad Stadium.
City have also been scouting long-term replacements for Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder Rodri, with German starlet Said El Mala reportedly at the top of their list.
CONTRACT EXTENSION
Stones initially joined City on a six-year deal, but in August 2021 he signed a new deal keeping him at the club until 2026.
And talks with club having been progressing for a while as Stones plays his tenth season in the Premier League with City, having played 176 times in the top-flight.
In all Stones has amassed 285 appearances for City during his decade-long stay in Manchester, but interest has been growing in his signature with his current due to expire in June next year.
City have never wanted to lose the player, but it is understood they are now confident a deal will be struck for Stones to extend his amazing career at the club.
German giants Bayern Munich and Spanish outfit Real Madrid have both previously been linked with the player, but our sources understand Stones is happy to stay in Manchester, with his family settled in Cheshire.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.