Manchester City chairman holds significant transfer stance on John Stones | OneFootball

John Stones’ Manchester City future may be impacted by the stance taken by club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, according to a new report.

The England international has been a pivotal figure in Pep Guardiola’s defensive system, especially during Manchester City’s treble-winning 2022/23 season, when his hybrid role stepping into midfield transformed the team’s shape.

However, recurring injury setbacks in recent campaigns have raised questions about his long-term importance in Pep Guardiola’s plans, with reports earlier this summer suggesting that the defender’s future could be under review.

Despite that speculation, Stones himself has been vocal about his commitment to the club. Earlier this year, the 31-year-old reaffirmed his desire to remain in Manchester, stressing his appreciation for the support he has received from both Guardiola and the City supporters.

This follows a pattern seen with other senior figures at the Etihad Stadium, where the club has rewarded loyalty and consistency with fresh terms, as seen with recent contract extensions for the likes of Rico Lewis and Nico O’Reilly’s long-term deals.

Crucially, the wider context of Manchester City’s summer rebuild in recent months cannot be ignored, and ensuring that senior leaders like Stones remain at the heart of the squad appears to have become a strategic priority for the club hierarchy.

Now, according to the Daily Star’s Jeremy Cross, John Stones will begin negotiations with Manchester City officials in the hope of agreeing on a new contract that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2028.

The report claims Stones is keen to remain with Manchester City and pledge the remaining years of his career to the club in the process. As for those at the Etihad, they are said to be poised to open talks.

From the side of Pep Guardiola, the City boss is also claimed to be keen on seeing the defender extend his deal at the club, while chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak is desperate to avoid losing Stones on a free transfer next summer.

Looking ahead, the negotiations could prove to be a significant moment in shaping City’s defensive future. If an agreement is reached swiftly, it would not only cement Stones’ place at the club but also ease concerns about leadership and experience within the backline.

Failure to finalise fresh terms, however, could re-open the door for speculation around potential exits next summer, especially with European heavyweights known to monitor Manchester City’s defensive depth closely.

For Pep Guardiola, tying down Stones may also prove essential as he looks to balance integrating younger signings such as Vitor Reis further down the line, while also managing the fitness of more experienced players like John Stones.