Stones to Inter, free transfer confirmed
John Stones is leaving after a decade. Inter Milan have sealed a deal for the England centre-back on a free transfer, confirmed by Fabrizio Romano (2) (7). Stones signs until June 2028, no extension option, around €4m net per season (7). The medical is set for Milan soon (7).
Stones himself put it plainly: "I still feel I have so much to give to a club" (1). He shone for England at the World Cup and attracted interest from Liverpool and Arsenal too, but chose Serie A (2).
Ten years, done.
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Leeds close to £40m deal for Trafford
James Trafford is on his way to Leeds United. The deal is worth £40m plus bonuses and is being finalised, per David Ornstein (4) (11). It would be a club-record sale for City for a goalkeeper (4).
Trafford never broke through as a regular at the Etihad, and this brings in serious money as the Maresca era begins to take shape (4) (9) (10) (11).
Rodri deal talks, Real Madrid watching
City are hopeful Rodri will sign a new contract, but they are braced for a bid from Real Madrid (8) (9). The Spanish midfielder is currently in Madrid for minor back surgery, Maresca confirmed the operation and said Rodri will rejoin the squad after rest and recovery (8).
No formal offer from Real yet, but the club are reportedly monitoring the situation closely (8) (9).
Fan reactions
The Stones exit is hitting hard. Fans on the City subreddit are calling it the end of an era, plenty of gratitude for the decade of service, but a clear sense that the defensive rebuild is now urgent. The Trafford fee, meanwhile, has supporters nodding: £40m for a keeper who barely featured feels like sharp business. Read the full Stones thread here.
