Chelsea are preparing to make a bid for Everton defender John Stones, but will have to pay around £20m for the centre-back.
Stones has emerged as a transfer target for Jose Mourinho in his bid to strengthen his options at centre-back.
Mourinho has long been linked with a move for Real Madrid starlet Raphael Varane, but with the Spanish giants unlikely to sell the young commanding centre-back, John Stones has become Mourinho’s new favoured target.
John Stones, 20, joined Everton from Barnsley in 2013 in a £3million deal and has really flourished at Goodison Park, finding himself in the first team playing alongside Phil Jagielka a number of times last season.
Martinez has made it clear that he has no intention of letting Stones leave Goodison this summer, but the chance to play at Stamford Bridge may be too good for youngster to miss.
The young Englishman can also play at right-back, which is something that appeals to Mourinho, who often favours players that can play in multiple positions.
Stones has also proved he is comfortable with the ball at his feet, and his ability to take the ball out of defence and look forward is a quality that has earned him many admirers, including Gary Lineker.
<interaction id=”55917438791e407553eb6454″></interaction>