From Italy: Napoli rebuff opportunity to sign Manchester City as free agent this summer | OneFootball

Napoli have turned down the chance of signing John Stones when his Manchester City contract expires in the summer, as per a new report.

Stones has endured an injury-riddled 18 months that is all but certain to see the 31-year-old be shown the door when his current deal at the Etihad Stadium expires at the end of the season.

The England international has been one of Pep Guardiola’s best signings since the Catalan was appointed Manchester City manager in 2016, winning six Premier League titles, a UEFA Champions League title and a plethora of other silverware during his time at the club.

After coming close to leaving City in the summer of 2020, Stones decided to stay put and fight for his place in the starting XI – a decision that paid dividends as he enjoyed a stellar 2020-21 season and led the Blues to the Premier League title and maiden UEFA Champions League final.

He went on to play a starring role in Manchester City’s 2021-22 and 2022-23 campaigns, notably putting in a man-of-the-match performance in his side’s UEFA Champions League final win over Inter Milan in Istanbul in 2023.

However, the underlying issue of Stones’ time at the Etihad Stadium has been his inability to keep himself fit for large spells. The England international has spent several months on the sidelines – on a large number of occasions – which one can argue have left an asterisk on his illustrious, trophy-laden time at Manchester City.

Stones spent a large part of the 2024-25 season on the sidelines and after sustaining a leg injury in early December, the Barnsley-born star is yet to return to action as Manchester City face a personnel crisis in central defence – although that has been alleviated by this week’s arrival of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace.

Guardiola has indicated in the press in recent weeks that a decision on Stones’ future will be taken solely considering his availability in the last few seasons – with a growing expectation that the centre-half will be shown the door in the summer.

As reported by Il Mattino and relayed by Get Football News Italy, Napoli have turned down the chance to sign Stones on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Napoli boss Antonio Conte and the club’s hierarchy are prioritising strengthening other areas of the squad, though Stones is not expected to have a dearth of possible destinations should be leave Manchester City this summer.

There is little hope of City renewing Stones’ contract, with the Englishman and Nathan Ake expected to leave the club after the recent signing of Marc Guehi on a five-and-a-year-deal from Crystal Palace for £20 million.

A formal decision on Stones’ future at the Etihad Stadium is not expected to be made public until the spring, though the defender’s representatives will be holding regular talks with Manchester City director of football Hugo Viana in the coming months.