Surprise signing in January! He's leaving Manchester City, wants to play with Pau Cubarsí.

Pau Cubarsí is far too alone at the center of Barça's defense  since Iñigo Martínez's departure to Saudi Arabia. Together, they had formed one of the most solid partnerships in Europe: they understood each other perfectly with just a glance. While Cubarsí excelled in ball distribution, Iñigo contributed experience and impeccable tactical awareness that kept the defensive line in order.

Since his departure, everything has changed. Pau Cubarsí has taken on the role of leader, but his performance has been affected by the lack of stability at his side. With Araújo, the understanding is inconsistent; with Eric García, the backline becomes more fragile against opponents with speed and mobility.

The sporting management, led by Deco, is fully aware of the situation. Hansi Flick has asked the board for a reliable reinforcement for the heart of the defense if the club wants to compete for all the titles. The goal is to find a profile that complements Pau Cubarsí and allows Barça to recover the solidity they've lost.

Surprise signing in January! Leaving Manchester City, wants to play with Pau Cubarsí

In recent weeks, several names have been linked to the Catalan club. Center backs like Guéhi, Upamecano, Konaté, or Schlotterbeck are on the culé agenda, all of them young with international potential. However, in the last few hours, an unexpected option has emerged that has completely changed the outlook.

We're talking about John Stones, the English center back from Manchester City. According to reports from England, the defender has no intention of renewing his contract, which expires in June 2026, and is seriously considering starting a new chapter away from the Premier League. Barça is already aware of the situation and could take advantage of a unique market opportunity.

John Stones, 31 years old, would fit perfectly into Barça's play style. He's a footballer with clean ball distribution, the ability to play as a pivot, and tactical understanding that adapts wonderfully to Flick's demands. In addition, his experience at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola makes him an ideal profile to partner Pau Cubarsí.

John Stones, market opportunity for Barça

Deco, who's closely monitoring his contractual situation, has already set the roadmap. Barça's plan is to negotiate freely with John Stones starting January 1, 2026. If talks progress, the agreement could be finalized within weeks.

Meanwhile, John Stones would be delighted with the idea of landing at Camp Nou. After several successful years at Manchester City, he believes it's time to take a step aside. With Pep Guardiola, he's no longer a starter, so now he'll try to be one alongside Pau Cubarsí.