John Stones agrees £250,000 per week deal to STAY at Manchester City until 2026 as England defender completes comeback from Etihad outcast to become one of Pep Guardiola’s key men
- John Stones looked down and out at Manchester City until a stark turnaround
- The defender is now a key man in Pep Guardiola’s English champion back-line
- Stones has now agreed a £250,000 deal to stay at the club for five more years
John Stones will complete his resurgence at Manchester City by signing a new five-year contract.
Stones’ career at the club looked to be coming to an end until he regained his place last season and forged an outstanding central defensive partnership with Ruben Dias.
The 27-year-old’s contract was due to run out in June but he has agreed a new deal worth £250,000 a week until 2026.
John Stones has secured his Manchester City future until 2026 with a brand new contract
The defender has had a superb summer with England at Euro 2020 and is back to his best
Just a year ago the Stones was being linked with moves away from the Etihad after the injury-hit centre-back’s form deserted, leading his confidence to dissipate as he fell down Guardiola’s pecking order.
Now he is preparing for a new season in the heart of the City defence alongside Ruben Dias after a sensational summer with England and his future secured for another five years with the English champions.
Stones’ form picked-up after finally muscling his way back into the team from the tenth game of the season, and his assured performances saw just one goal in 12 games fly past him.
Guardiola looked to have made up his mind on the Englishman but was delighted when the £47.5m signing came good again.
Pep Guardiola looked to have given up on the English defender after the 2019-20 season
The centre-back even scored four goals last season as he became a key man in City’s team
‘If there is one guy who deserves the best it is John. He’s struggled a lot but he’s a fantastic human being. His parents must be so proud,’ the Spaniard said of Stones back in January.
‘He’s had personal problems in the past, injuries. At the moment he’s set up good and he’s starting to play.
‘Confidence is everything. He won his confidence for himself. As managers, we can’t give confidence.’
Stones will be looking for another campaign of rock solid form to try and defend the Premier League title and challenge to finally bring home a Champions League, an ambition shared by a new team-mate.
Jack Grealish has completed his £100m move to the Etihad and was unveiled on Monday evening, insisting ‘I fully believe we can win it this season’ when pressed on Europe’s premier competition.