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John Stones is set to leave English football after reportedly reaching a verbal understanding to join reigning Serie A champions Inter. The experienced England international is expected to complete a move to San Siro as a free agent once his exit from Manchester City is formally wrapped up.

Inter beat the competition for Stones

Stones has verbally agreed to join Inter on a free transfer, according to Sky Sports. His representatives are now working on the final details of a two-year contract with the Serie A champions.

This is seen as a major success for Inter manager Christian Chivu, who wants to bring proven winning experience into his squad. Considering Stones' record in the Premier League and on the international stage, his arrival is being viewed as an important piece of business for the Italian giants.

Turning down Premier League heavyweights

Inter's successful move for Stones is a setback for several big Premier League clubs that wanted to keep the defender in England. Arsenal and Chelsea had both shown serious interest in the veteran, with the Gunners especially keen to strengthen their depth after the recent injury setback to William Saliba.

It was not only English clubs trying to sign Stones; Juventus also made contact with the player's camp over the weekend. The Italian giants were hoping to tempt him to Turin, but Inter's proactive approach has opened the way for a move to Milan instead.

Romero still on Inter's list as defensive rebuild continues

Signing Stones is part of a wider plan to reshape the Inter defence under Chivu's guidance. While Stones is now the main target, interest remains in Spurs captain Cristian Romero, who is said to be the head coach's top defensive choice.

There is also a chance that Inter could bring in both Romero and Stones if Benjamin Pavard leaves the club in this window. Pavard's future is still under speculation, and his departure would create both the squad room and the financial flexibility required to rebuild the defence. For now, though, Stones is the player the Italian champions are pushing for most strongly to get the deal completed.

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A trophy-filled decade at the Etihad

Stones leaves City as one of the most decorated players in the club's history, having collected 20 major honours across a ten-year spell that started with his £47.5 million transfer from Everton in 2016. His honours list includes six Premier League titles, five League Cups, three FA Cups, three Community Shields, and one each of the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, with only Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden able to match his total in City's 132-year history.

That success has, however, been reduced in recent seasons by a long fight with injuries. Stones managed only 439 minutes of Premier League football last season because of thigh, calf and muscle problems, after an equally disrupted campaign before that in which he played just 547 minutes, and he never went beyond 59 per cent of available league minutes in any single season during his decade at City.