John Stones will leave Manchester City as a free agent this summer.
The 31-year-old has been restricted to just four Premier League starts under Pep Guardiola this season.
The move coincides with a defensive refresh under Hugo Viana, following the arrivals of Marc Guéhi, Abdukodir Khusanov, and the emergence of Vitor Reis.
Manchester City are preparing to bid a heartfelt farewell to one of their defining defenders, with John Stones confirmed to depart the Etihad Stadium this summer.
Arriving from Everton in 2016 for a reported £47.5 million, Stones quickly became a cornerstone of Pep Guardiola’s revolution, famously evolving from a traditional centre-back into a hybrid midfielder during the historic 2022/23 Treble-winning campaign.
His trophy cabinet at the Etihad Stadium is among the most decorated in English football history, boasting six Premier League titles, the 2023 UEFA Champions League, and most recently, the 2026 Carabao Cup.
Despite arguably being a club legend, Stones’ recent years have been increasingly defined by a battle for fitness, and a series of recurring injury setbacks has limited his availability, managing more than 30 appearances in only one of the last five seasons.
And now, the 31-year-old – affectionately dubbed the ‘Barnsley Beckenbauer’ by supporters – will bring a monumental 10-year tenure to a conclusion after a mutual decision was reached regarding his future, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein.
City are reportedly due to announce Stones’ pending departure from the Etihad Stadium in a statement next week, with full focus on Premier League and FA Cup semi-final duties for now, while interest in his services in the summer is expected from ‘leading’ European clubs.
During the current 2025/26 campaign, John Stones has found himself on the periphery of Pep Guardiola’s plans, starting just four top-flight matches as the club transitions toward a younger defensive core.
The pending departure follows a strategic shift under new Sporting Director Hugo Viana, who has addressed the backline in recent windows, featuring the January acquisition of Marc Guéhi, combined with the 2025 arrivals of Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis – who has excelled on loan at Girona this season.
John Stones is set to become the second high-profile veteran confirmed to be leaving on a free transfer this summer, joining club captain Bernardo Silva in what promises to be an emotional final home game against Aston Villa next month.
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With 87 England caps to his name and a recent call-up to Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions squad in March, John Stones remains a coveted asset, and elite clubs across the continent are reportedly monitoring his situation.
Additional reporting has pointed towards the idea of a return to Everton, although the veteran’s focus remains on Manchester City’s ongoing pursuit of a domestic Treble, hoping to add final pieces of silverware to his legendary collection before the 2026 World Cup.