John Stones, Manchester City defender, is preparing to leave the English club as his contract expires in June 2026, and Barcelona is one of the leading clubs rumored to sign him without paying any transfer fee, according to the "Fichajes" website.

Stones, who is 31 years old, has participated in over 280 official matches and has been a key player in defense under Pep Guardiola, although he has suffered from numerous injuries in the last 18 months.

Barcelona is looking for an experienced defender with leadership capabilities to strengthen their defense, and Stones is seen as an ideal option who can play as a center-back or a defensive midfielder, making him suitable for the modern systems of the Catalan team.

The possibility of Stones transferring for free presents an opportunity to enhance the defense without significant cost, and he can add experience and leadership to the team in a season where Barcelona aims to regain its status in La Liga and the Champions League.

Negotiations between Barcelona and Manchester City are still ongoing, with the Catalan club assessing the player's health condition and readiness to perform at his best before taking any official steps to sign him.

Stones' potential move is an important step for both the player and the team, as it represents the beginning of a new phase for the player after leaving Manchester City and an opportunity for Barcelona to strengthen their defense without transfer costs, while leveraging the player's extensive experience in domestic and European competitions.