ALMOST DONE – Chelsea Set Sign £26m Star, His Club Shopping For Replacement

Chelsea are increasingly confident in their pursuit of Everton’s John Stones and have submitted a second bid for the defender after their first offer was rebuffed. His departure appears imminent and his club have set about looking for a replacement. Metro have reported that Dynamo Kiev defender Aleksandar Dragovic is the chosen one and Everton are already in talks over a summer transfer.

The 21-year old English international has been heavily linked to the Premier League champions and the blues have already made their intentions known publicly. The second bid is believed to be £26 million after the initial £20 million was rejected. Stones has been earmarked as a successor to current captain John Terry and at just 21 years, he still has a lot of years in the game.

The blues captain was rock solid at the heart of Chelsea’s defence as he was ever present during the domestic campaign. However, Terry is advancing in years and cannot be expected to still put in a good shift at the top level. Pundits have even gone a step further to predict that he only has a year left to play at a top league. John Stones would serve as a ready made replacement for the ageing defender and his homegrown status an added incentive.

With the news that Everton are already tying up a deal for Dragovic, it appears that they have resigned to the inevitable departure of their talented defender.