![[Subscription Customers Only] Jun 22, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Manchester City defender John Stones (5) warms up prior to a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup against Al Ain FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kai Pfaffenbach-Reuters via Imagn Images](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_46,w_2090,h_1175/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/327/01kh94gfet1ke9becy36.jpg "[Subscription Customers Only] Jun 22, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Manchester City defender John Stones (5) warms up prior to a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup against Al Ain FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kai Pfaffenbach-Reuters via Imagn Images")
"Silly season" is a term that gets tossed around to refer to the weeks leading up to and during transfer windows to describe the vast sum of rumors being tossed around, many of which don't make sense.
The fact is, most of the season is silly season, since rumors never stop flying, as teams are constantly checking in on players who may be available, especially if one club has a solid relationship with another and feels comfortable making those calls.
It is often just talk, journalists trying to get the beat on an idea they heard somewhere or agents drumming up interest where it may not exist.
Such is the case, at least in part, with this latest Everton-centric rumor from TEAMTalk.
The report indicates that Everton are interested in not one, but two Manchester City players for a move in the summer. One is not surprising: Jack Grealish, an interest we discussed recently in terms of how it makes sense for the Blues.
The other is more bizarre and is where this rumor loses steam. It involves former Everton center back John Stones, who is in the final year of his contract and seems unlikely to re-sign with City.
TEAMTalk suggests that the Toffees could be interested in a deal to bring Grealish back in for much less than the £50 million figure attached to his loan, while Stones would be available on a free without the extension.
As discussed, having Grealish back in the final year of his Manchester City deal isn't a terrible idea, but spending money on a player who'll turn 31 just after the 2026/27 campaign begins and will be coming off foot surgery isn't the best use of resources.
Another loan is reasonable, and would allow Everton see how Grealish's game changes as he moves into his early 30s. There will be some expenditure on the loan fee and wages, but it will be considerably less than the £20-25 million City would ask for him on a permanent move.
As for Stones, even on a free, it doesn't make a ton of sense for Everton.
The defender is over a year older than Grealish, which would need to be taken into account. But the bigger issue is that he is going to want to go somewhere where he can play, an opportunity Everton cannot provide.
Assuming they finally solve the right back problem in the summer, that locks Jake O'Brien and Jarrad Branthwaite in as the starting center backs, with James Tarkowski (who is a few years older than Stones) settled in as the third choice.
The club may need a fourth central defender for depth with Michael Keane out of contract, but Stones doesn't strike as a guy ready to take that role.