“He Is Off To Chelsea” The Boss Confirms Chelsea Will Sign John Stones For £30m

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is apparently keen to sign Everton centre half John Stones as captain John Terry’s long term heir.

Although the Toffees have rebuffed the Blues’ bids of £20m and £26m respectively, it is understood a third bid of £30m will be lodged by the Premier League champions to finally sign the young Englishman.

Everton boss Roberto Martinez has blasted Mourinho and his skipper on the pursuit of Stones, after Terry publicly backed the 21-year old to be his successor. However, former Portsmouth and QPR manager Harry Redknapp believes it is always difficult to keep a player that is hell-bent on leaving and the transfer would be done if the price is right.

“When you’ve been in the game long enough you know, when a player wants to go, he’s going to go,” Redknapp told Alan Brazil’s Sport Breakfast (via talkSPORT).

“I would think if the money’s right…

“David De Gea wants to leave Man United – he wants to go but it’s just when a deal can be done that suits everybody – and I think it’s the same with Stones.

“It’s a shame. Everton brought him in and gave him the opportunities, he’s been there 18 months and suddenly he’s off to Chelsea.

“But he’ll be a good signing for Chelsea and he’ll give them good cover and good competition at centre-half.”

Given Redknapp’s view that if a player wants to leave a club then he will likely leave, Stones will be a Chelsea player this summer. The England international defender, with four caps has reportedly declared in the past he fancies a move to Stamford Bridge.

While airing his opinion regarding this transfer, Redknapp also baulked at the amount Everton are demanding for Stones who only joined from Barnsley for £3m in 2013.

“All the top teams are looking around for top central defenders and strikers, they’re difficult to find at the moment.

“No disrespect to the young lad, he’s a good player but you look at the amount of money for someone who only signed from Barnsley a short while ago.”

Stone featured in Everton’s first match against Watford at Goodison Park which they drew 2-2. The defender managed to win 50% of his tackles and 50% of his aerial duels in the game.