Manchester United Conclude Plan To Sign John Stones For £45m

Manchester United are ready to beat Chelsea and any other suitors to the signing of long-term target John Stones, according to reports from the Telegraph. The 21-year-old centre-back was strongly linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in the summer transfer window but Everton managed to keep hold of their star defender and the deal never materialized.

John Stones who has completed 60% of his take-ons in the English Premier league this season also wanted the move to happen but Everton did well enough and the player has settled back to life in Everton.

However, it appears that Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho might not have given up on the defender and will be going back for him in the January transfer window. The Evening Standard has even added some fuel to the fire when they reported earlier this week that the 6ft2 England centre-back was one of the players Mourinho requested the Chelsea board to sign in the New Year.

But now the Telegraph is now making claims that Man United have changed their stance on Stones and they will be doing all in their power to sign the powerful centre-back in the January transfer window too.

The newspaper says that Stones is valued at £40 million but a bidding war between the two clubs could mean that the player is sold for much more than that.

The 21-year-old has played 10 times in the English Premier League this season and has completed 89% of his passes and has also won 54% of his tackles and completed 61% of his aerial duels.

It remains to be seen who gets the defender in January.