Everton in advanced talks to re-sign John Stones, whose crypto ties add an unexpected layer

John Stones is heading back to where it all started. Everton are in advanced negotiations to re-sign the 32-year-old centre-back from Manchester City on a free transfer, a decade after selling him for £47.5 million.

For crypto observers, there’s a footnote worth paying attention to: Stones serves as a brand ambassador for Axi, a CFD trading platform that offers leveraged products on digital assets including Bitcoin and Ethereum.

The football side of the story

Stones’ contract at Manchester City expires on June 30, 2026, making him available on a free transfer. Discussions between Everton and Stones’ representatives reached an advanced stage around mid-June, with personal terms reportedly progressing smoothly.

The defender originally joined Everton’s academy setup and made 95 appearances for the club between 2012 and 2016. He then moved to City for a fee that could have risen to £50 million with add-ons, a record-breaking sum at the time for a defender.

Under Pep Guardiola, Stones collected 20 major trophies, including multiple Premier League titles and a Champions League victory. Bayern Munich were also reportedly linked with the defender, but Everton appear to be in the strongest position to finalize the deal.

The one caveat is Stones’ injury history. Availability has been a recurring concern throughout his career, particularly in recent seasons.

The crypto connection

Stones is a brand ambassador for Axi, a platform that provides CFD trading, which lets users speculate on the price movements of assets, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, without actually owning those assets.

The risk side of the equation deserves attention. CFD trading on crypto is a leveraged product, which means losses can exceed initial deposits. Regulatory scrutiny of these products has been intensifying across Europe, with the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority already imposing restrictions on how crypto CFDs can be marketed to retail investors.

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