John Stones has reached a verbal agreement to join Inter, but Juventus are battling to derail the deal with a rival proposal for the free agent defender. According to Sky Sport Italia, the England international has accepted a two-year contract worth €4 million net per season with the Nerazzurri, only for the Bianconeri to table their own firm offer.
The 32-year-old, who celebrated his birthday in May, became a free agent on 30 June after allowing his Manchester City contract to expire. He concluded a decorated decade at the Etihad that yielded six Premier League titles and the 2022-23 Champions League, plus a bronze medal with England at the 2026 World Cup this summer.
Milanese agreement, Turin competition
Transfer journalist Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Stones shook hands on personal terms with Inter on Wednesday evening. The club moved swiftly to secure the centre-back after releasing veterans Francesco Acerbi and Matteo Darmian at the end of their contracts, leaving gaps in Simone Inzaghi’s defensive options.
However, Juventus have refused to concede defeat. Fabrizio Romano confirms that the Turin side have progressed from initial information-gathering to a concrete proposal, with direct talks ongoing between the club and Stones’ entourage. Sky Sport Italia note that earlier links to Napoli emerged through intermediaries rather than genuine club interest.
Squad needs drive pursuit
Inter’s recruitment is motivated by necessity following the departures of Acerbi and Darmian. Stones offers extensive Champions League experience and recently demonstrated his fitness levels while playing regularly for England in North America.
Juventus face their own defensive uncertainty, with Gleison Bremer attracting interest from Galatasaray. Thiago Motta’s side previously targeted Bologna’s Jhon Lucumí but found the €25 million valuation prohibitive, increasing the appeal of a free transfer for the former City man.
Premier League alternatives fade
Despite surveys from Chelsea and Arsenal, Stones is understood to favour a new experience in Italy after ten years in Manchester. Bayern Munich have also monitored the situation, yet none of the continental or English suitors have matched the advanced negotiations undertaken by the Serie A pair.
With Stones seeking a fresh chapter and two of Italy’s giants vying for his signature, the defender’s next destination hinges on whether Juventus can overturn Inter’s verbal agreement in the coming days.