 |
| Manchester City's Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne, Nathan Aké and John Stones in action during training at Manchester City Football Academy on February 14, 2022 in Manchester, England. |
Newcastle United are reportedly plotting an ambitious summer swoop for Manchester City defensive stalwart John Stones.
According to GiveMeSport, Newcastle United are interested in John Stones and planning a surprise summer move for the Manchester City ace.
Newcastle made a major splash in January, signing high-profile names like Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes, while other proven Premier League names, including Chris Wood, Matt Targett, and Dan Burn, all moved to St. James’ Park and have been crucial in the club’s bid to avoid relegation.
Amid a drastic turn in fortunes, Eddie Howe’s side have now gone unbeaten in all nine games in 2022, propelling them to 14th on the table. With the Magpies looking increasingly likely to retain their Premier League status, the club hierarchy are already planning their transfer targets ahead of what looks like another very busy transfer window come summer.
The new owners will attempt to build on this improvement in the summer to compete with the Premier League’s best clubs and are aiming to hand Howe a new-look spine. Newcastle have identified Stones as a potential target and hope to negotiate a deal for the Manchester City ace.
Stones joined Manchester City in 2016 from Everton. Since then, his progress at the Etihad was a slow burner, as he endured several rough patches initially. However, the Englishman has enjoyed a renaissance and was a key part of their Premier League title-winning squad last season, forming Manchester City’s first-choice central defensive partnership alongside Ruben Dias.
To date, Stones has made 186 appearances for the Citizens, chipping in with 12 goals and two assists in the process. He has, in total, been a part of three league titles and other domestic trophies with Manchester City. However, he has struggled to break into the starting lineup as often as last term in the ongoing season, only featuring ten times in the league.
