Juventus are stepping up negotiations to sign John Stones on a free transfer.
After his contract with Manchester City expired, center-back John Stones became Juventus's number one target to upgrade their defense in the summer 2026 transfer window.
Juventus have officially submitted a contract offer to John Stones after the English defender's contract with Manchester City expired. The Turin club currently holds the biggest advantage in the race to sign the 32-year-old star on a free transfer.
According to Sky Sport Italia's transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio, Serie A representatives have directly contacted Stones and his agent to finalize personal terms. After a decade of dedication and winning every major title under manager Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, Stones' experience and world-class footballing intelligence are the perfect fit for the Italian club.
Stones' defining characteristic is his exceptional passing ability and ball control. Statistics show that since 2016, among all players who have completed over 10,000 passes in the Premier League, Stones' pass accuracy rate has been an impressive 93.37% – second only to his former teammate Ruben Dias (93.40%). Maintaining consistent form for England at the 2026 World Cup further confirms the value of this experienced central defender.
The strategic dilemma in Turin's defense.
Juventus' decision to accelerate negotiations stems from real personnel changes. The team faces the risk of losing key player Gleison Bremer to Galatasaray, while their pursuit of Jhon Lucumi is hampered by Bologna's demand for a fee of €25 million. Recruiting a world-class center-back like Stones without a transfer fee is the optimal solution, both professionally and financially.
Despite being eyed by Chelsea, Arsenal, and Bayern Munich, the lack of decisive action from these big clubs – along with vague rumors from Inter Milan and Napoli – allowed Juventus to pull ahead. The John Stones transfer is expected to be finalized soon once both sides reach an agreement on salary and bonuses.