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John Stones is out of contract at Manchester City next summer and even if he stays there are question marks over his long-term future.
You have to go back to 2022 for the last time Manchester City signed a player on a free transfer. That was the unheralded and, for many at the time, unheard of Stefan Ortega, who joined from Arminia Bielefeld in Germany.
For the last really significant City signing to arrive on a free after their contract had expired, you are looking at Bacary Sagna and his move from Arsenal in the summer of 2014. A tactic that some clubs use regularly, particularly Real Madrid, is something City have never had the need to explore.
But maybe that could change next summer, with Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi set to be available for nothing when his Crystal Palace contract expires. The 25-year-old was close to joining Liverpool on deadline day, only for Palace to pull the plug at the last minute.
Guehi is now unlikely to sign a new contract and looks certain to leave for free next summer, when Liverpool might suddenly find they have competition for a player who will surely be in demand. It was no surprise that within days of a £35million transfer to Anfield falling through, Real Madrid were being linked with a move for the England international next year.
Liverpool have done the groundwork with Guehi and his camp and he knows how badly they want him, given the efforts they went to sign him this summer. The need could intensify next summer if Ibrahima Konate joins Real Madrid when his contract expires.
But could City yet show their hand and make a move for Guehi in 2026? It would tick many boxes for the club and potentially solve a couple of problems.
The most obvious one is the future of John Stones. The 31-year-old has started this season well but is out of contract himself next summer and needs to prove his fitness issues are behind him.
He hasn't started four games in a row since March 3, 2024, and this current run is only the second time since that he has begun three in a row. Whether he starts against Manchester United this weekend will depend on the extent of the muscle issue that ruled him out of England duty and whether Pep Guardiola feels he can take a risk with his fitness.
If Stones has another season significantly disrupted by injuries and fitness issues, then it increases the chances of a parting of the ways in 2026. He will have turned 32 then, and for all his obvious quality as a centre-back, he needs to start ticking the availability box as well.
Should Stones leave, Guehi looks like a potential replacement. As an English player, he would fill Stones' homegrown slot in the squad. He is used to the Premier League and has enough international experience to be unfazed by a move to the Etihad and the pressure of playing for City.
Then there is Guehi's pace, which is a big asset. The concerns around City's back four this season are primarily around a lack of speed and the loss of the recovery pace that Kyle Walker used to offer. Guehi could bring some speed back to that defensive set-up.
Whatever happens, he looks destined for a big move in 2026. He will have plenty of options next summer, when he is likely to be a starting centre-back for England in the World Cup. City will surely at least consider making a move.
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