Alious
Everton could be set for a major summer rebuild — but a romantic return for John Stones may already be looking unlikely due to one major stumbling block: his wages.
The Toffees endured a quiet January window despite heavy speculation about new arrivals, with Tyrique George the only player brought in on loan from Chelsea. However, the summer is expected to be far busier, with multiple positions needing urgent attention.
Everton are expected to target reinforcements at full-back, bring in a new striker, and potentially sign another centre-back, especially with Michael Keane’s contract set to expire.
Players such as Ross Sykes and Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi have already been linked — but one of the most eye-catching rumours has been a possible return for former Everton favourite John Stones.
Stones Set to Leave City — But Everton Move “Unrealistic”
According to journalist Mark Brus in his Daily Briefing for Caught Offside, Stones is expected to leave Manchester City when his current contract runs out, with claims suggesting City are unlikely to offer him a new deal.
That alone would normally spark excitement among Everton fans, especially as it would potentially open the door to a free transfer.
However, Brus poured cold water on the idea, claiming Stones’ wage demands make a return to Goodison Park extremely difficult.
He reportedly believes that Everton simply cannot match the defender’s salary expectations, calling the transfer a “non-starter” at this stage.
European Giants Better Placed to Pay His Salary
Everton aren’t the only club reportedly monitoring the situation.
European heavyweights such as Bayern Munich, AC Milan, and Atletico Madrid have all been mentioned as potential destinations — and those clubs would likely have far fewer issues meeting Stones’ financial demands.
That puts Everton at a serious disadvantage, especially as they continue trying to operate under a more controlled wage structure.
Could Grealish Be the Wildcard?
Despite the bleak outlook, Everton’s hopes may not be completely dead.
The report suggests the club could still tempt Stones if he is willing to take a wage reduction in exchange for a large signing-on fee, which is a common compromise in free-transfer deals.
There’s also another interesting factor: Jack Grealish.
Everton are believed to be keen on bringing Grealish back to Merseyside, and Stones is known to be extremely close to the City winger.
If Grealish does return — and both the player and Everton push hard for it — the strong friendship between the pair could potentially influence Stones’ thinking and make Everton a more attractive option.
Everton Face an Uphill Battle
While Stones leaving Manchester City appears increasingly likely, the financial reality suggests Everton will struggle to compete unless the defender is prepared to compromise significantly.
For now, Stones back in blue remains a dream — but not one that’s completely impossible if the right pieces fall into place.
Alious
