“I Am Off To Stamford Bridge” £26m Rated Chelsea Target Claims, Mourinho Likes Him

Chelsea are increasingly growing in confidence that they will land Everton’s John Stones after the defender apparently told boss Roberto Martinez he fancies a move to Stamford Bridge, according to Metro.

The Blues had an initial offer of £20 million rejected for Stones and it is believed that they are preparing a fresh bid of £26million which will likely tempt the Toffees into selling the England international centre half.

Although reports had it yesterday that Manchester United have asked that Everton keep them informed about Stones’ situation at the club, Chelsea are still clearly huge favourite to land the 21-year old.

Stones is seen by Jose Mourinho as a long-term replacement for John Terry whose career is winding down. The young Everton defender featured 23 times for the Liverpool-based club last term, scoring his first senior goal against Manchester United.

Also last year, he broke into the England national team under Roy Hodgson who handed him his debut in a friendly match against Peru. He already has four England caps to his name.

Should Stones sign, he will become Chelsea’s third major summer signing, following Radamel Falcao who joined on loan from Monaco and Asmir Begovic who left the Stoke goalkeeping duties for a new adventure at Stamford Bridge.

One concern for Stones, provided he signs, as Squawka notes, is that he may not be a first-team starter at Chelsea and this could affect his form.

Captain John Terry was Gary Cahill’s regular partner in the Blues’ central defence last term, with the skipper featuring in all of Chelsea’s Premier League games while his partner played 36 games, thereby subjecting young Kurt Zouma to only 15 appearances.

Chelsea have been unusually quiet this transfer window and Mourinho has criticised their rivals of trying to buy the title.

“In the beginning of Mr. Abrahamovic coming to Chelsea, Chelsea was buying the title,” said the Portuguese tactician. “Now they are buying the title. All of them, they are buying the title. It is up to us to be strong and fight them and, obviously, to try and win it again, even without the big investments.” (via Independent).