According to reports from The Telegraph yesterday evening, Everton will hold out until they receive a £40million offer for Chelsea and Manchester United target John Stones.
The 21 year-old has emerged as the most sought-after centre-back in the Premier League this summer with Chelsea, United and City all linked to his signature over the last few weeks.
The Premier League champions are currently leading the pack. They’ve already seen two bids rejected by the Toffees and according to The Telegraph, have now launched a third to the value of £30million.
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It’s believed United will look to match any bid the Goodison outfit begrudgingly accept; essentially letting Chelsea do the hard part in convincing manager Roberto Martinez he must sell the 6 foot 2 defender before swooping in themselves.
But according to The Telegraph, that could require a rather seismic bid – £40million, to be precise.
Everton are well aware of the west London outfit’s desperation to bring in defensive recruits after John Terry was subbed off at half time against Manchester City on Sunday and are using that as leverage to secure the highest fee possible for Stones.
It would also destroy the Premier League record fee for a defender, currently held by Manchester City’s £32million signing Eliaquim Mangala.
However, the British newspaper believe Jose Mourinho still sees that figure as an acceptable long-term investment, working on the assumption that the England international will be a mainstay in their starting Xi for the next ten years.
Everton are reportedly eyeing Swansea City’s Ashley Williams as Stones’ potential replacement.
Stop printing this rubbish. There is no price tag. Martinez has said he is NOT for sale.
There are few players in this world who aren’t for sale at the right price. John Stones is not one of them.
You should never take the word of a manger as gospel, especially when discussing transfers. It would be surprising if Martinez said anything else than Stones not being for sale, because all that would do is lower what clubs are willing to pay for him.
40 million for stone is just crazy
Not crazy enough according to some Everton fans…
Christy,
You appear to be suggesting we should believe you but we can’t believe Martinez? You keep writing this same old article with only the price changing. You saw Stones’ performance on Saturday. Did that look like a man who’s unsettled? He’s staying. The only way Chelsea will get him will be if they make a ridiculous offer, beating the Sterling price. Remember Baines and Man Utd?
It’s not about believing me, it’s about looking at the situation. Most Premier League clubs wouldn’t be able to turn down £40million even for a star player, so it’s naive to think Everton wouldn’t sell a 21 year-old who hasn’t even made 50 Premier League appearances for them, who they signed for £3million just two years ago and who, despite his obvious potential, could still a) fail to truly convert it into world-class talent and b) break his leg tomorrow, spend the next year out injured and never be the same player again. Stones isn’t the first or the last England youngster to receive this kind of hype – not long ago everybody was saying the exact same thing about Phil Jones.
No offence but I just don’t understand why Everton fans think their club is somehow different and excluded from a practice we’ve seen 1000s and 1000s of times in the Premier League before – a bigger club buying a smaller club’s biggest prospect for a gigantic amount of money. Of course Martinez is going to say he’s not for sale. If he went around saying “oh, we might sell him if we get a decent offer” practically every club in the top six is going to make them a decent offer, and not an amazing offer. If he says “he’s not for sale” then Everton can act like he’s not for sale and clubs will have to pay more. It happens all the time – Rio Ferdinand, anyone?
You’re right, the only way Chelsea will get him is if they make a ridiculous offer. But £40million IS a ridiculous offer. You’ll never get as much as Liverpool did for Raheem Sterling purely because he’s a defender. Take a look at the world’s biggest transfer fees. With the exception of David Luiz the top 20 are all attacking players.
And finally, I’d like to point out that it’s not just me plucking this information out of thin air. I’ve sourced the Telegraph and practically every newspaper in England has as well, reporting this morning that Everton now want £40million for Stones or that Chelsea will bid that amount for him.
http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/598986/Chelsea-prepare-to-break-Man-City-record-for-Everton-star-John-Stones
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/459857/John-Stones-Chelsea-Man-Utd-transfer-news
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/john-stones-to-chelsea-blues-bid-30m-for-john-terry-replacement-but-everton-seeking-40m-10460200.html
http://metro.co.uk/2015/08/18/chelsea-lining-up-83m-triple-swoop-to-seal-transfers-of-john-stones-alexandre-lacazette-and-antoine-griezmann-5347996/
http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/chelsea-may-have-to-pay-40m-for-england-star-while-newcastle-close-in-and-arsenal-battle-man-united-1-7415454
http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2015/8/17/9168183/chelsea-bid-30m-for-john-stones-but-everton-want-40m
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/aug/18/football-transfer-rumours-zlatan-ibrahimovic-arsenal-manchester
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/transfer-news-gossip-round-up-6271069?ICID=FB_mirror_MF