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Chelsea, Man United and Barca set for epic battle over £40m England star

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John Stones

According to reports from The Telegraph, Barcelona have joined Chelsea and Manchester United in the race to sign Everton defender John Stones.

Since his £3million arrival from Barnsley in January 2013, the 21-year-old has emerged as one of the most exciting home-grown talents on show in the Premier League and indeed throughout world football, boasting unique flair and pace for an English centre-half. Many have compared him to a young Rio Ferdinand and rather tellingly, he was the only Englishman to make Gerard Pique’s World XI in an exclusive interview with The Telegraph earlier this month.

Ball-playing centre-backs are more popular than ever in the Premier League, which when combined with Stones’ obvious potential is why Chelsea launched three bids for him during the summer transfer window, the last and most lucrative being worth £30million.

Likewise, Manchester United made their interest known to Stones during the offseason – their need for added quality at centre-half was arguably greater than Chelsea’s before the start of the campaign – but elected not to engage in a bidding war with their Premier League rivals, knowing a Toffees sale always seemed somewhat unlikely.

Reports yesterday confirmed that Chelsea will launch a fourth bid in January which could prompt Manchester United into action as well, should the west Londoners meet the £40million asking price alleged by The Telegraph.

But the Premier League duo could both find themselves eclipsed in their pursuit of Stones by European champions Barcelona, the latest club to join the race to sign the England international. The Telegraph believe Pique’s inclusion of Stones in his world XI was no great coincidence and in fact a conscious effort to turn the youngster’s head towards the bright lights of the Nou Camp.

Perhaps somewhat more convincing of their interest, Barca scouts also attended England’s 2-0 defeat to Spain last Friday in hope of getting a closer look at the 21-year-old. Although he failed to feature against La Roja, the Toffees starlet’s impressive performance against France on Tuesday night would have been enough quench their appetite for now.

But Barcelona still find Everton’s £40million valuation of Stones a little off-putting. It has the potential to further rise during Euro 2016, depending on England’s progress and the 6 foot 2 prodigy’s importance to Roy Hodgson’s plans.

Also in the news:

The ‘new Aguero’ and three more world prodigies on Man United’s radar

Arsenal close to announcing deals for Man United target and World Cup star

Teenage sensation to snub Liverpool and Chelsea for Arsenal’s sexy football

Chelsea ready to hijack Man United swoop for CL winning striker

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