Chelsea have added John Stones to their centre-back shortlist after the defender became a free agent when his Manchester City contract expired at the end of June. The 32-year-old, who made 295 appearances for City since joining from Everton for £47.5 million in 2016, is of interest to the London club on a free transfer.
Chelsea are pursuing multiple defensive targets this window. The club are in active talks with Crystal Palace over Maxence Lacroix, with Palace seeking more than £55 million for the defender. Como's Jacobo Ramon is also being assessed as an alternative option.
The west London side have already completed five signings — Geovany Quenda, Marco Palestra, Denner, Dastan Satpaev and Emmanuel Emegha — while raising approximately £130 million through player sales. Stones, who earned 93 England caps and finished third at the 2026 World Cup, made just 15 appearances in his final City campaign due to injuries and competition. Meanwhile, Trevoh Chalobah is in talks to join Como.