# John Stones joins Inter, squad renewal underway > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/john-stones-transfer-rumors > Updated: 2026-08-18T15:15:07.000Z. Sources: 121. Developments: 9. England defender John Stones completed a free transfer from Manchester City to Inter Milan on 31 July 2026, signing a two-year contract worth approximately €4 million per season. The 32-year-old chose Inter over interest from Arsenal, Chelsea, Juventus, and Liverpool. He joins former teammate Manuel Akanji under head coach Cristian Chivu, who recently extended his contract to 2028. Stones departed City after ten seasons, tallying 295 appearances, 19 goals, and 20 major trophies. While his technical pedigree is high, questions remain regarding his physical conditioning following recent injury history. His back-surgery recovery was reported to be on track for the Community Shield on 16 August. Inter’s pre-season friendly in Hong Kong on 1 August 2026 ended 1-1 against Manchester City, with Divin Mubama scoring for the visitors and Benjamin Pavard equalising. Inter won the subsequent penalty shoot-out 4-2 (some reports list 3-1) to claim the Asahi Super Dry Trophy. Enzo Maresca, the newly appointed City manager, praised his side’s effort. The club is also negotiating a €40 million deal for Tottenham defender Cristian Romero. Inter’s 2026-27 Serie A campaign opens on 22 August at home against Monza. Summer departures include Yann Sommer, Francesco Acerbi, Matteo Darmian, and Denze Dumfries. As the club prepares for the Serie A season, it is undergoing a significant squad renewal focused on a generational shift, particularly in defense. Following Sommer's departure, the team has signed veteran goalkeeper Ivan Provedel. The defensive line has been reinforced by the arrivals of Stones and Djed Spence to join Akanji. Regarding the attack, management has indicated that captain Lautaro Martínez is not for sale despite rumors linking him to FC Barcelona, as the club intends to build its strategy around Martínez and Marcus Thuram. ## Claims - John Stones has agreed a two‑year contract with Inter Milan until June 2028. (disputed by 22 sources) - The contract salary is about €4 million net per season. (disputed by 22 sources) - Inter's offer includes a base salary of €5 million plus bonuses. (disputed) - John Stones' contract with Manchester City expired on 30 June, making him a free agent. (corroborated by 21 sources) - John Stones will reunite with former Manchester City teammate Manuel Akanji at Inter. (corroborated by 20 sources) - Inter secured John Stones' signing ahead of Juventus, Arsenal and Chelsea. (corroborated by 19 sources) - The transfer is a free transfer with no fee payable to Manchester City. (corroborated by 19 sources) - John Stones became a free agent after his contract with Manchester City expired on 30 June 2026. (corroborated by 19 sources) - John Stones agreed to a two‑year contract with Inter Milan until June 2028. (corroborated by 19 sources) - John Stones will undergo a medical examination in Milan before finalising his contract. (corroborated by 16 sources) - John Stones earned 93 caps for England and played in the 2026 World Cup third‑place team. (corroborated by 14 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-18: Inter Milan undergoes squad renewal ahead of Serie A season Inter Milan is undergoing a squad overhaul ahead of the new Serie A season, reinforcing its defense with John Stones and Manuel Akanji while maintaining that Lautaro Martínez is not for sale. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/inter-milan-undergoes-squad-renewal-ahead-of-serie-a-season ### 2026-08-17: Manuel Akanji discusses Inter Milan's defensive depth and Champions League goals Inter Milan defender Manuel Akanji says the arrival of John Stones strengthens the squad's defense as the club aims to improve its performance in the Champions League. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/manuel-akanji-discusses-inter-milans-defensive-depth-and-champions-league-goals ### 2026-08-01: John Stones signs with Inter Milan after ten years at Manchester City John Stones leaves Manchester City after ten years, joining Inter Milan on a two‑year free‑transfer deal worth about €4 million a season. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/john-stones-signs-with-inter-milan-after-ten-years-at-manchester-city ### 2026-07-31: Inter Milan announces season schedule and signs John Stones Inter Milan starts the 2026‑27 Serie A season on 22 Aug vs Monza, signs John Stones, and prepares friendlies with Manchester City, AC Milan and Juventus under coach Cristian Chivu. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/inter-milan-announces-season-schedule-and-signs-john-stones ### 2026-07-30: Inter Milan signs John Stones and beats Manchester City on penalties in Hong Kong friendly Inter Milan signed John Stones on a free transfer and beat Manchester City on penalties in a Hong Kong friendly, while also pursuing Tottenham defender Cristian Romero. 77 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/inter-milan-completes-john-stones-signing ### 2026-07-29: John Stones Chooses Inter Milan Over Arsenal and Chelsea Free‑agent defender John Stones chose Inter Milan over Arsenal and Chelsea, with a pending medical, after leaving Manchester City. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/john-stones-chooses-inter-milan-over-arsenal-and-chelsea ### 2026-07-27: Inter Milan completes free transfer for John Stones John Stones, free after leaving Manchester City, agreed a two‑year €4 m‑per‑season deal with Inter Milan, passing a medical in Milan and rejoining teammate Manuel Akanji. 37 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/inter-milan-close-deal-for-freetransfer-defender-john-stones ### 2026-07-22: John Stones free‑transfer chase draws interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Inter Free‑agent John Stones is pursued by Arsenal, Chelsea and Inter, with clubs weighing his injury history against his experience and wage demands. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/john-stones-draws-interest-from-inter-milan-and-chelsea ### 2026-07-20: John Stones free transfer attracts interest from Inter and Chelsea John Stones, released by Manchester City, is being pursued by Inter Milan and Chelsea on a free transfer. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/john-stones-free-transfer-attracts-interest-from-inter-and-chelsea --- Cite as: John Stones joins Inter, squad renewal underway. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/john-stones-transfer-rumors