Man City eyeing up stunning swap deal with Premier League club as Pep Guardiola attempts to beat Chelsea to signing

It was a quiet Sunday morning at Manchester City’s training base in East Manchester when the whispers began. The season had ended in disappointment. The defending Premier League champions were no longer the unstoppable machine they once were under Pep Guardiola. The treble-winning aura of 2023 had faded into frustration and fatigue. And now, Pep was ready to tear it all apart and start again. Reports started spreading like wildfire — Manchester City were preparing a shocking swap deal, one that could shake the Premier League. The target was none other than Everton’s powerful young defender, Jarrad Branthwaite, a player who had been on the radar of several top clubs including Chelsea and Manchester United. But Guardiola, being the football mastermind he is, wanted to move faster, smarter, and with a surprise twist — he was ready to offer one of his most trusted soldiers, John Stones, as part of the deal.

It sounded crazy at first. Stones, a hero of the Guardiola era, the man who helped City evolve into an all-conquering force, being used as part of a swap deal? But deep inside the Etihad, the decision was beginning to make sense. The squad was ageing. Key players like Kevin De Bruyne were set to leave, and Pep’s famous “constant evolution” mantra meant no one was untouchable. The City manager had already admitted privately that his team needed “new hunger.” Branthwaite represented that — young, strong, fearless, and full of the raw desire that reminded Guardiola of what City had lost this season.

Everton, on the other hand, were in a difficult position. The club had battled financial struggles and barely escaped relegation. But in Branthwaite, they had found a gem — a 22-year-old centre-back who combined physical power with technical calmness, a player already drawing comparisons to Rio Ferdinand and John Terry. Manchester United had tried twice to sign him, offering £35 million, then £45 million plus add-ons, but Everton stood firm. Chelsea also entered the race, desperate to reinforce their defense after another chaotic season. But now Pep Guardiola was ready to hijack everyone’s plans with an offer that might be impossible to refuse — John Stones’ emotional return to Goodison Park.

For Stones, the story was almost poetic. He had begun his Premier League journey at Everton back in 2013 when David Moyes signed him from Barnsley for just £1.25 million. Back then, he was a lanky, shy kid who barely spoke during interviews, but everyone around the club saw something special. He wasn’t the typical English defender who just kicked and cleared the ball. Stones could dribble, pass, and glide forward like a midfielder. Moyes once said, “He has qualities you can’t teach.” And he was right. Stones grew into one of England’s most elegant defenders. When Pep Guardiola arrived at City, he turned Stones from a promising centre-back into a modern football artist — someone who could step into midfield, control the tempo, and even create chances.q

But football moves fast. By 2025, Stones was 31. His body had endured countless injuries, and his place in the team was no longer guaranteed. Ruben Dias had become Pep’s defensive leader, and new signings like Josko Gvardiol were the future. Guardiola respected Stones deeply, but he knew it was time for renewal. The same ruthless logic that saw him part ways with legends like Sergio Agüero, Vincent Kompany, and even Ilkay Gündogan was about to hit again.

At the same time, Manchester City’s leadership, led by chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, was already working behind the scenes to rebuild the squad. In a recent interview, Khaldoon admitted, “We have clearly identified who exactly are the targets, in what positions, and we have our clear number one option, our clear number two option.” He made it clear — the club wanted business done quickly. City had their eyes on the Club World Cup in the United States that summer, and Guardiola wanted a new-look team ready before that tournament began.

The 2024/25 season had been tough. City’s dominance had faded. Fatigue, tactical confusion, and injuries had made them vulnerable. Even with signings like Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, and Vitor Reis in January, the spark wasn’t there. Pep Guardiola, known for reinventing his teams every few years, saw this summer as the beginning of a new cycle. And for that, he needed energy and fearlessness — the kind of qualities Branthwaite had shown week after week for Everton.

Branthwaite had been Everton’s Young Player of the Year, and many believed he was ready to make the next big step. Standing 6ft 5in, calm on the ball, and commanding in the air, he looked like a defender built for Guardiola’s system. At City, defenders don’t just defend — they start attacks, make passes between the lines, and control the rhythm. Guardiola reportedly told his staff, “He’s young, he’s bold, and he plays with the heart I want.”

Chelsea, however, weren’t giving up easily. The London club, under their new ownership, had been spending aggressively, and Branthwaite was one of their top defensive targets. They saw him as the future partner to Levi Colwill — two young English defenders to form the backbone of their team for years. But as always, Guardiola loved to step into his rivals’ shadows and take their dream targets. From Jack Grealish to Josko Gvardiol, he had a habit of hijacking transfers right under other clubs’ noses. This time, his plan involved emotions, loyalty, and nostalgia — sending Stones back home.

For Everton fans, the thought of John Stones returning brought mixed emotions. They remembered the young boy with curly hair who used to smile nervously during interviews, who had cried when he first left for Manchester City in 2016 for £50 million. But they also remembered how much he loved the club, how much he respected their history. A deal that brought Stones home, plus a massive transfer fee, could be exactly what Everton needed — experience, leadership, and money.

Behind closed doors, negotiations were already being explored. City’s sporting directors believed they could convince Everton by offering Stones and around £35–40 million in cash. Everton’s board was tempted. Their manager knew he needed defensive stability and veteran experience, and Stones would bring both. It wasn’t just a transfer — it was a homecoming story that could unite a club divided by years of chaos.

Inside Manchester City’s dressing room, the news hit hard. Many players respected Stones deeply. He was quiet but influential, one of the few English voices who truly understood Guardiola’s football. He had shared the ups and downs — the Champions League heartbreaks, the incredible treble year, and the grind of every Premier League title race. Even Pep was emotional. He loved Stones like a son, but he also knew football is about timing. Keeping players for sentimental reasons was never his style.

Kevin De Bruyne’s exit had already sent shockwaves through the club. The Belgian, City’s magician for nearly a decade, had decided not to renew his contract and was set to leave at the end of June. Now with Stones potentially leaving too, fans began to realize that this was more than just a transfer window — it was the end of an era. The Guardiola revolution was entering its final chapter.

The City boss was reportedly determined to rebuild the team in his image one last time before deciding his own future. Rumors were swirling that the 2025/26 season might be his final year at the Etihad. And if that was true, he wanted to go out with a fresh, young, hungry squad — not one filled with tired legs and fading memories.

For Branthwaite, this was the opportunity of a lifetime. The young defender had grown up dreaming of playing in big Champions League nights, facing the best strikers in the world. A move to Manchester City meant learning under Guardiola, training with elite players like Rodri and Ruben Dias, and competing for every trophy. His agent was already in touch with City’s representatives, and early talks were said to be “positive.”

Everton fans began to wonder what the future held. Losing Branthwaite would hurt, but getting Stones back and a large transfer fee could ease the pain. The emotional connection between Stones and Everton was real. Even after leaving, Stones often spoke warmly about the club. “Everton made me who I am,” he once said. “They taught me to play with courage.” A return to Goodison Park could give him the perfect stage to end his career where it all began.

Meanwhile, Chelsea’s transfer team watched with frustration as Guardiola closed in. The London club had already been criticized for overpaying for young players and missing out on targets. Losing Branthwaite to City — especially through such a smart and emotional deal — would be another blow.

The Premier League summer window was shaping up to be full of drama. Between City’s rebuild, Chelsea’s desperation, Manchester United’s hunt for defensive reinforcements, and Everton’s financial battles, every move felt like part of a massive chess game. Guardiola, as always, was thinking three moves ahead.

In the coming weeks, more reports are expected to confirm whether the Stones-Branthwaite swap truly happens. But one thing is certain — Manchester City are preparing for a transformation. With De Bruyne leaving, Stones possibly departing, and new young blood on the way, Guardiola is once again reshaping his empire.

Football is a circle of renewal. Players rise, shine, and fade, but clubs continue. Guardiola’s City has lived through dominance, pressure, and now rebirth. And if the swap deal goes through, it won’t just be about transfers — it will symbolize a changing of the guard, a moment when one of football’s most elegant defenders returns home while a new star begins his journey under one of the greatest managers ever.

And so, as fans wait for official confirmation, the story continues to build. Will Everton accept? Will Stones say yes to the emotional return? Will Branthwaite step up to the challenge of replacing a legend at City? These are the questions hanging in the summer air.

What’s certain is that Pep Guardiola is not standing still. The mastermind of Manchester is ready to write the next chapter — and as always, it begins with a bold move that shocks everyone. Because for Guardiola, football isn’t just about trophies — it’s about transformation. And in this latest saga, one chapter may be closing for John Stones, but another one is just beginning for Jarrad Branthwaite.