Manchester City defender John Stones is expected to leave the club as a free agent at the end of the season. The move signals a major shift at the Etihad, with captain Bernardo Silva also set to depart in what looks like a clear changing of the guard.
The update was confirmed by Fabrizio Romano on his official X handle, who revealed that Stones’ long stay at the club is coming to a close:
Fabrizio Romano reported;
John Stones, expected to leave Manchester City in the summer as free agent.
31 year old defender wants to help until the end of the season and then expected to go after making history at #MCFC.
Bernardo and Stones, both leaving in June 👋🏼
The decision comes during a period of squad restructuring led by sporting director Hugo Viana. While Stones has been important for his versatility, especially during the 2023 Treble-winning season, ongoing fitness issues have pushed the club to look toward younger defensive options like Marc Guéhi.
Despite these expected exits, Manchester City remain strong on the pitch. They recently secured a key 2-1 win over Arsenal at the Etihad, a result that dealt a big blow to the North London club’s title hopes. The win has shifted momentum back in City’s favour as the season approaches its final weeks.
Arsenal, however, are not giving up. After the match, captain Martin Ødegaard made it clear that the team still believes in their chances and will keep fighting until the end of the season, even after the setback.
Softfootball believes the focus will soon turn to Stones’ legacy at the club. Reports suggest he wants to properly say goodbye to fans during the final home games against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa in May.
John Stones is expected to receive a formal farewell alongside Bernardo Silva in June. As he looks to end his time at Manchester City on a high, several European clubs are already monitoring his situation ahead of a possible free transfer.
