Overview
- Reports on Friday show Arsenal are installed as bookmakers’ favourites to sign Stones while Chelsea have made exploratory approaches and Everton are holding internal talks.
- Stones left Manchester City this month as a free agent after a season in which he made just 18 appearances under Pep Guardiola.
- Medical concerns are central to discussions because Stones missed 339 days through injury over the past three seasons and had very limited game time in 2025/26.
- Negotiations are focused on contract length and wages since Stones is believed to prefer a two- to three-year deal and clubs are weighing the cost-free transfer against availability risks.
- Any signing would change squad plans: Chelsea see Stones as an experienced, low-cost option in Xabi Alonso’s rebuild, Arsenal view him as short-term cover for William Saliba, and Everton face doubts that could push them toward younger, more durable alternatives; a decision is expected soon.