Inter are in negotiations to sign centre-back John Stones as a free agent.Talks are ongoing with the hope that the transfer can be completed by the end of the week.The move would see Stones link-up with former Manchester City team-mate Manuel Akanji, who has joined Inter on a permanent basis following a season-long loan deal in 2025-26. The Italian champions have also signed Serbia international midfielder Aleksandar Stankovic from Club Brugge and goalkeeper Ivan Provedel from Lazio this summer.Last season, Inter were crowned Italian champions for the 21st time in their first campaign under coach Cristian Chivu, having reached the Champions League final the previous year in which they were defeated 5-0 by Paris Saint-Germain.City announced in April that Stones would leave the club upon the expiry of his contract this summer after 10 successful years. The Athletic reported at the time that it was anticipated a number of top clubs across Europe would be interested in a summer move for the defender.The Athletic reported interest from Arsenal and Chelsea in signing Stones, with Arsenal exploring centre-back cover as a result of William Saliba’s back injury, while Chelsea have been looking to add a ready-made defender.Stones had an impressive World Cup for England, helping towards his side’s run to the semi-finals. He played in five of the eight matches, and contributed to strong defensive performances against Mexico — when he was brought on as a second-half substitute with England down to 10 players — and Norway, playing the full 120 minutes in the quarter-final victory.He also started the semi-final defeat against Argentina, playing almost all of the match before being replaced by Ivan Toney in injury time after Inter captain Lautaro Martinez put Argentina 2-1 ahead.The summer tournament followed an injury-disrupted 2025-26 season for Stones, who made just 18 appearances in all competitions for City. In the prior campaign — 2024-25 — he appeared 20 times, owing to foot and hamstring issues, and said in October 2025 that fitness problems made him consider retirement.Stones joined City from Everton in the summer of 2016, aged 21. He quickly established himself in the first team, and was a regular feature in the club’s dominant era under Pep Guardiola.In his 10 seasons at City, Stones made 295 appearances, and was a part of six Premier League title-winning campaigns, while also winning the 2023 Champions League, five League Cups and three FA Cups.In addition to his successful City career, Stones has represented the England national team for 12 years. Since making his senior debut in the summer of 2014, he has made 94 appearances, featuring at three World Cups and two European Championships, where England lost in the final on both occasions.