Revealed: When John Stones will decide new club as Manchester City departure nears

It is claimed that the England defender’s lower wage demands will be offset by a signing bonus in excess of £15 million as he prepares to leave City as a free agent.

Everton have been heavily linked with bringing their former player back to Merseyside as Stones charts the next steps of a career that has seen him achieve great success alongside Guardiola in Manchester.

The Barnsley-born centre half paid an emotional tribute to Guardiola in his exit interview with Manchester City’s official channels earlier this week and will no doubt be given a fitting farewell by the eight-time Premier League champions in May, alongside departing captain Bernardo Silva.

What’s in store the next few weeks for Stones at Man City?

Stones played 90 minutes as Manchester City came from behind to avoid an FA Cup semi-final scare against Southampton at Wembley last week, with Jeremy Doku and Nico Gonzalez sparing their blushes after Finn Azaz gave the Saints a shock lead in the 79th minute.

How Manchester City players have reacted to heartfelt John Stones exit interview

City have seen Abdukodir Khusanov and Marc Guehi forge a strong defensive partnership in the last month as Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol make their way back to fitness.

The stakes are as high as ever for the domestic treble hopefuls in their final six games of the campaign and it will be interesting to see whether Stones plays much in his last month in a Manchester City shirt.

An FA Cup final against Chelsea awaits Manchester City and Guardiola could, if Stones is fit, call upon his longest-serving player in sky blue to lead his side against the west London club at Wembley on May 16.