John Stones

Stones joins Inter: Arsenal and Chelsea miss out

With William Saliba out for four to five months (back injury), Arsenal are looking at John Stones, the 32-year-old England centre-back who is a free agent after his Manchester City contract expired. The appeal is twofold: no transfer fee, and Arteta knows him well from three seasons together at City as assistant manager. The caveat is just as clear: a heavy injury record (barely 439 Premier League minutes last season). Chelsea are also in the running. At the interest stage, with no bid or agreement.

Latest development

1. July 28the lead is closing

   : Fabrizio Romano (via FootballTransfers and Read Arsenal) reports Inter Milan are holding formal talks with Stones’ camp over a two-year deal, with personal-terms discussions "in full swing". Juventus have also approached his representatives. Arsenal are among the Premier League clubs to have sent "proposals" but are no longer described as front-runners. With no formal denial, the file moves to cooled rather than denied.

2. July 25

   : a new defensive lead born of Saliba's injury. Sky Sports (July 24) and The Athletic (relayed by FootballTransfers, July 25) report Arsenal are interested in John Stones, a free agent after his Manchester City contract ended, as centre-back cover during Saliba's absence (4-5 months). Two top-tier sources agree on the interest; The Athletic adds that Chelsea, whose new manager Xabi Alonso is looking to bolster his defence, are also on the case. The zero cost (free agent) and the Arteta-Stones familiarity are the arguments in favour, tempered by the player's fragility (439 PL minutes last season, 547 the year before). No contract offer or agreement at this stage — cautious status (À SURVEILLER, INTÉRÊT).

3. 30/07 (evening)

   : this one is over. John Stones has agreed a two-year contract with Inter Milan until June 2028 (≈€4m net per season, with no extra year option) and the defender travelled to Milan for his medical and signing (Goal, Cult of Calcio, 101GreatGoals, 27-30/07). Arsenal and Chelsea, both tracking the free agent, have missed out. Arsenal's search for centre-back cover for William Saliba now narrows to Ezri Konsa and Jacobo Ramón.