According to reports from Mirror Football yesterday evening, Chelsea believe they can decimate the Premier League record for the amount spent by a single club in one transfer window by getting deals for Everton’s John Stones and Juventus’ Paul Pogba over the line before September 1st.
The Premier League champions have already launched three bids for England international Stones, who has also been linked with Manchester City and Manchester United this summer, and are expected to launch a fourth and final bid of £40million after the 21 year-old handed in a transfer request at Goodison Park earlier this week.
Toffees boss Roberto Martinez, however, has once again insisted the 6 foot 2 centre-back won’t be allowed to leave the club, telling reporters after a 5-3 Capital One Cup win over Barnsley yesterday evening; “John is a massive part of that and we’ve got a clear idea that in life and in football money can sometimes not buy everything. This is about values and John is a vital part of our future.”
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Meanwhile, the west Londoners are also pursuing a last-minute deal for former Manchester United youngster Paul Pogba, who has emerged as one of the most talented central midfielders in world football since swapping Old Trafford for the Old Lady by way of a free transfer in summer 2012.
Reports yesterday revealed that the Blues are holding discussions with the Serie A champions – who signed Juan Cuadrado from the Stamford Bridge ranks on loan this week – and the sheer fact they’re willing to entertain negotiations so late in the transfer window has convinced Chelsea they can wrap up a £70million deal before the summer deadline.
Should both bids be accepted, Chelsea’s summer spending will breach the £160million mark, which would constitute a new record spend for a Premier League club in a single transfer window. The record is currently held by Manchester United, who splashed out £150million last summer – including a £59.7million swoop for now PSG star Angel Di Maria.