Everton in for Premier League defender who David Moyes once likened to Rio Ferdinand
Everton had a very quiet winter transfer window but they could be set to make up for that next summer.
Tyrique George moved to Everton on loan from Chelsea, but the young forward was the Merseyside outfit’s only senior signing.
Harrison Armstrong was also recalled from Preston North End to add some depth in attack, as David Moyes was left with much the same squad as he had at the start of the month.
However, the Toffees could be set to make some big additions when the window reopens at the end of the season, with one former player linked with a return.
Everton target summer swoop for John Stones
Everton are in the race for John Stones ahead of the summer transfer window, as they look to bolster their defensive ranks.
The England international spent three years at Everton before completing a £50million move to Manchester City in 2016.
Now Stones could be in line for a return to the blue half of Merseyside, as he enters the latter stages of his career.
There are some concerns about his fitness though, given the fact that the centre-back has only managed 34 Premier League appearances since the start of the 2023-24 season.
Stones’ current contract at Man City expires this summer, meaning that the Toffees may be able to pick him up on a free transfer.
David Moyes unearthed John Stones
Stones originally moved to Everton in 2013, joining from Barnsley during Moyes’ first spell in charge.
The Scottish manager is clearly a big fan of the 31-year-old, which could play a part in his potential return this summer.
While at Everton, Stones made 77 Premier League appearances across the course of three seasons.
He quickly developed into one of the best defenders in the country, and the Toffees made a huge £48m profit when he completed his move to Etihad Stadium.
Moyes retained an admiration for the centre-back, though, and at one point even likened him to Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand.
When Everton faced Stones and Man City back in the 2016-17 campaign, Moyes noted that the former Barnsley man brings the ball out of defence in a similar way to Ferdinand.
Moyes said: “Rio Ferdinand was great at taking the ball out from the back and John Stones is of similar ilk.”
Now, all those years on, he could get the chance to work with Stones once again on Merseyside.