---
title: "“Expected to go…”: Top reporter reveals “incredible” 31-year-old star will leave Manchester City this summer"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/john-stones-leaving-man-city-free-transfer/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Barnaby Lane"
section: "Manchester City Transfer Rumours"
published: "2026-04-22T19:41:00Z"
modified: "2026-04-22T19:41:00Z"
---

# “Expected to go…”: Top reporter reveals “incredible” 31-year-old star will leave Manchester City this summer

Manchester City’s season has surged back to life at exactly the right moment.

A huge 2-1 win over Arsenal at the weekend has put them firmly back in the Premier League title race, now sitting just three points behind the leaders with a game in hand.

If Pep Guardiola’s side go on to lift the trophy, it would mark a fifth title in six years — further underlining their dominance in the modern era.

But even as they chase more silverware, change is already looming behind the scenes.

## **Stones to Leave Man City**

John Stones is expected to leave [Manchester City](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-city-transfer-rumours/) at the end of the season, with his contract set to expire this summer.

[According to top journalist Fabrizio Romano](https://mancitynews.com/man-city-transfer-news-james-trafford-8/), the England international is likely to move on as a free agent, bringing an end to his long and successful spell at the Etihad.

[Romano explained](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6Y106WBij0): “I can confirm that the expectation, unless there is a last-minute change, is for John Stones to leave Manchester City as a free agent at the end of the season.

“It has been a complicated moment for Stones in terms of injuries recently.

“But what I can tell you now is that expectation is for John Stones to leave Manchester City at the end of the season on a free and try a new chapter in his career.”

He added: “The expectation internally at Man City is for John Stones to leave the club at the end of the current season, so could be the end of a fantastic story between Stones and Manchester City.”

The 31-year-old — [described as “incredible” by Guardiola](https://www.goal.com/en/news/i-never-lost-faith-in-stones---guardiola-praises-defender-for-turning-man-city-career-around/30o0i381jeed1uewxchhk1o5e) — has been a key figure during one of the most successful periods in the club’s history, playing a crucial role in multiple Premier League title wins and their Champions League triumph in 2022/23.

However, persistent injury problems have limited his involvement in recent months, and with City planning a squad refresh, both parties now appear ready to move in a new direction.

Some exits feel routine — this isn’t one of them. Stones leaves as part of the spine of a dynasty, not just a squad player passing through.

If this really is the end, it’s less about decline and more about timing. And wherever he goes next, he won’t just be bringing experience — he’ll be bringing the blueprint of what winning at the highest level actually looks like.