According to reports from The Daily Mail and The Daily Star, Real Madrid have joined the race to sign Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United target John Stones.
Since joining the Everton ranks from Barnsley in January 2013, the 21-year-old has emerged as arguably the Premier League’s most promising home-grown talent, boasting rare pace, agility and quality in possession for an English centre-half.
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Chelsea notoriously saw three bids rejected for the 6 foot 2 defender last summer and have been tipped to revive their interest during the January transfer window, whilst Manchester United were linked with a £50million bid in December and European champions Barcelona have also been mooted as potential suitors.
According to The Daily Mail, Real Madrid are now a fixture in the race to sign the England international as well following a recommendation from former manager Rafa Benitez – who was sacked in favour of France legend Zinedine Zidane last week.
A January move still seems unlikely; Toffees boss Roberto Martinez has insisted on several occasions in the build-up to the winter window that Stones will not be allowed to leave the club. But The Daily Mail, who claim Everton value the prodigious defender at £40million, speculate a summer bid from the Bernabeu outfit instead.
Defensive veteran Pepe looks set to move on at the age of 33 and Stones is being lined up as his eventual successor, whilst also providing a more defensive option at right-back than offensive No.2s Danilo and Dani Carvajal.