Barcelona are emerging as leading contenders to sign 31-year-old Manchester City star on a free transfer

FC Barcelona are no strangers to signing players on free transfers from Manchester City. In recent seasons, they have brought in the likes of Sergio Aguero, Eric Garcia and Ilkay Gundogan on free transfers.

City and Barcelona have many parallels that extend beyond Pep Guardiola. Both teams share a similar ethos in their style of football, and players moving one way or the other does not come as a surprise.

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According to Fichajes, the Catalan club are emerging as leading contenders to sign John Stones from the Premier League side on a free transfer. The Englishman’s current contract expires at the end of the season.

One of Pep Guardiola’s most trusted lieutenants at the Etihad over the years, the 31-year-old has been there almost as long as the Spanish tactician himself. He is one of the most talented defenders in the world, but injuries often hamper his progress.

When fit and in form, there are not many better ball-playing centre-backs than Stones. He can also play as a defensive midfielder and a right-back. Stylistically, he is very similar to the current version of Eric Garcia and, more than anything, he is an astute tactical mind.

City are not against offering a new contract to Stones, but want to wait for him to prove his fitness before doing so. Barcelona also need to be wary of his injury history before offering him a contract, and we will have to wait and see how Deco and co. approach this situation