Chelsea have already had a £20million bid rejected
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is feeling confident about wrapping up a deal with Everton for centre-back John Stones, according to reports this morning.
The Premier League champions have already seen a £20million bid turned down by The Toffees, but according to yesterday’s reports, they could add a further £10m onto that and offer a record-breaking deal.
Chelsea Interested in Stones
If Chelsea did decide to offer £30m, it would make Stones the most expensive British defender of all-time, equaling the fee Manchester United paid for Rio Ferdinand after signing him from Leeds United.
Mourinho is a huge admirer of Stones, and sees him as a perfect replacement to John Terry at Stamford Bridge.
However, he wants the young Englishman to work alongside Terry for his first few seasons at the club, before taking over as the main centre-back.
Stones is expected to have a big season next year at Goodison Park, especially as the club lost Slyvain Distin after his contract expired, leaving Roberto Martinez with just Stones and Phil Jagielka as recognised first-team centre-backs.
Hands-Off
It’s reported Chelsea will launch a second and improved bid for Stones, but Martinez has stated his desire to keep the majority of his team together for next season, meaning he will snub any formal approaches from The Blues.
Everton are used to bigger clubs coming in for their stars, with Seamus Coleman, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines and Ross Barkley all linked with moves away over the past few years.
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt
