EXCLUSIVE: Man City line up new Guardiola and Stones contracts
Manchester City are in talks with defender John Stones regarding a contract extension that could see the player remain at the club until 2027 - while FootballTransfers has been told there is an ambition to secure Pep Guardiola to a new deal too.
Sources have informed us that discussions have come as a follow-up to an agreement made when Stones signed his previous contract in 2021, which stipulated that talks over an extension would transpire during the 2023/24 season.
The player's initial contract, signed in 2021, was notable for the significant pay rise it afforded Stones - it has made him the fourth-highest-paid player at the club.
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Stones has become an integral part of the team and has played a crucial role in the club's success, particularly last season in the club’s treble-winning campaign.
If a deal is realised then the England international will join the higher echelon of earners at Man City, such as Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, Rodri, Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, Akanji, Jack Grealish, Ake, and Julian Alvarez, who doubled his wages in March.
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We are told that Stones is among Guardiola's favourite players and the Spaniard is eager to ensure the defender's long-term future at the club.
Will Man City provide Guardiola with a fresh contract?
We understand that Man City are hoping for Guardiola, the mastermind behind their Premier League dominance in recent years, to sign a fresh deal, also. His current contract is set to expire in 2025 but the club's owners are keen on securing his services for an extended period.
The Citizens are already locked in several top players with contracts running until 2027 or 2028, with Guardiola playing a significant role in those negotiations.
Man City sit third in the Premier League table after a dominant 3-0 win over rivals Manchester United on Sunday. The side are set to face Bournemouth at the Etihad this Saturday.