According to reports from London Evening Standard this morning, Chelsea are confident of signing Everton defender John Stones this summer despite potentially putting his immediate England career at risk.
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.
>>> Keep up to date with ALL of the Premier League’s confirmed summer transfers <<<
That dramatic rise has caught the attention of Chelsea and Manchester United, who are both considered to be long-term admirers of Stones’, alongside Manchester City.
The Premier League champions have been particularly proactive in chasing the 6 foot 2 centre-back’s signature. They launched a £20million bid last week and are expected to improve upon it within the next few days, whilst manager Jose Mourinho has been surprisingly open about his attempts to snap up the Toffees prodigy.
Reports on Saturday revealed it could take a Premier League record fee for a defender to convince the Goodison outfit to sell. But according to the London Evening Standard, Chelsea are confident of getting their man – even though it will put his chances of making England’s Euro 2016 squad in jeopardy.
Stones currently has four caps for the Three Lions and is competing with the likes of Phil Jones, Phil Jagielka, Gary Cahill, Chris Smalling, Kyle Walker, Nathaniel Clyne, Glen Johnson, Calum Chambers and Carl Jenkinson for a place in the squad.
A big-money move to west London could well affect Stones’ game-time in the Premier League and thus within the England fold, but the Blues believe he’s still interested in joining them this summer.
Think Martinez may have a different opinion.