According to reports from The Express this morning, Chelsea have seen a £20million bid for defender John Stones rejected by Everton.
The 21 year-old has emerged as one of the most promising home-grown defenders in the Premier League since moving to Goodison Park from Barnsley in January 2013, earning a place on England’s stand-by list for the 2014 World Cup and a nomination for the 2014 Golden Boy award.
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Now a four-cap international and proving himself a worthy partner to Phil Jagielka in the Toffees backline, Stones’ impressive form has lead to copious rumours of long-term interest from Chelsea and Manchester United.
Earlier this month, reports claimed Everton gaffer Roberto Martinez might have been tempted to cash in on the 6 foot 2 centre-back; if the Toffees had signed now-West Ham star Angelo Ogbonna from Juventus.
But according to The Express, the Goodison gaffer has now rejected an approach from the Premier League champions, believed to be worth £20million.
It follows reports of Martinez publicly denying a bid for Red Devils centre-half Jonny Evans.