According to reports from The Daily Mail, Chelsea, Manchester City, Barcelona and Real Madrid are set for a £50million scramble over Everton defender John Stones next summer.
Since arriving at Goodison Park from Barnsley in January 2013, the 21-year-old has emerged as one of the most promising centre-backs in world football and Europe’s top clubs are now queueing up for his signature.
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The Blues saw three bids for the England international, the last and most lucrative believed to be worth £38million, rejected last summer and will be expected to revive their interest at the end of the season – although some sources have claimed they could launch a £50million bid this month instead.
Manchester City, meanwhile, demonstrated their willingness to spend big on home-grown talent in summer 2015 with a £49million swoop for Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling and a £10million deal for Fulham teenager Patrick Roberts.
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With centre-backsEliaquim Mangala, Nicolas Otamendi and Martin Demichelis failing to convince in the absence of Vincent Kompany this season, they’ve also been tipped to bid for Stones during the next transfer window.
But La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid are also interested in the 6 foot 2 defender and The Daily Mail claim Everton would much rather sell to a foreign club. Los Blancos are likely eyeing Stones as a replacement 32-year-old veteran Pepe, whilst the Catalans have been linked with the playmaking centre-half for some time.