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

**UPDATE July 28 — the 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. **UPDATE 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). **UPDATE 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.