Everton alarm bells to ring after bombshell John Stones update
David Moyes is preparing a rebuild as he looks to push Everton further up the Premier League table after saving his side this past season.
As the Toffees prepare for a move to Bramley-Moore Dock, under the ownership of The Friedkin Group, it’s an exciting time on Merseyside as a new era beckons.
One man who has been linked with a potential transfer move is John Stones, who would be returning to Everton nine years after his departure for Manchester City.
Everton weighing up move for Stones
As Moyes evaluates the areas that need strengthening in his squad, defensive reinforcements will be a big area.
Especially with the added stress of potentially losing Jarrad Branthwaite, with Tottenham, Manchester City and Chelsea said to be interested.
With that in mind, Stones has been identified as a possible avenue for Everton to explore in the hope of adding to the current squad.
It seems highly unlikely that there is any future for him at the Etihad, given he has made just 11 Premier League appearances this season due to suffering with injuries.
With a World Cup next year, 83-cap England international Stones may also be convinced that a move is his only way to secure a possibility of a final call-up.
However, journalist Matt Jones has argued that the Toffees should be wary about the possibility as he wrote in the Liverpool Echo (4 June): “Past his best. On big wages. Injury prone.
“This potential transfer would ring alarm bells for a new recruitment team.”
Stones should be last resort for Everton
You can certainly see the argument for a potential move from Manchester City to Everton for Stones. He is a player with tonnes of proven experience and ability, which would surely benefit the Blues.
However, as Jones points out, a key issue is over wages, with his current salary £250,000 a week, meaning he would have to be prepared to take a pay cut to reunite with Moyes.
| Trophies | Times Won |
| Premier League | 6 |
| UEFA Champions League | 1 |
| FA Cup | 2 |
| League Cup | 4 |
| FIFA Club World Cup | 1 |
| UEFA Supercup | 1 |
Concerns around fitness, too, would surely cause some doubt over the potential move, especially if it was to be on expensive terms.
If a deal could be made that could benefit both parties, then later down the line it could be one to look at, especially when the future of Michael Keane is decided.
However, Moyes is looking to refresh his squad and adding a 31-year-old defender whose career is winding down is probably not in line with that aim.