Everton are on the hunt for a centre-back to accompany Mason Holgate, Yerry Mina and Michael Keane next season, as the Toffees plan to loan out Lewis Gibson. Last summer, Matthew Pennington was loaned out while Phil Jagielka and Ashley Williams were released, so Everton lost three defenders without replacing them.
The Blues have been linked with Gian Marco Ferrari, Jean-Clair Todibo, Gabriel Magalhaes, Marash Kumbulla and Kristoffer Ajer, but a former player may be on their radar too – John Stones. Noel Whelan tipped Everton to bring the Manchester city defender back to Goodison Park, in an interview with Football Insider, but he won’t come cheap.
Stones left Everton in 2016 and joined City in a deal worth £50m. The Citizens agreed a £5.2m-a-year contract with the 26-year-old too. He’s gone on to make 129 appearances in all competitions for the Sky Blues, scoring five goals and making two assists.
The England international fell down the pecking order this season, racking up only 904 minutes of Premier League football under Pep Guardiola, so his future at the Etihad Stadium is uncertain. Everton might have stiff competition from Newcastle if they make a move, however, with the Magpies planning to sign Stones and Ross Barkley after their proposed £300m takeover, so it remains to be seen if anything will come of this rumour.