According to reports from The Guardian, Everton manager Roberto Martinez has insisted none of his ‘best players’ will be leaving the club in January – including Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United target John Stones.
The 21-year-old has emerged as one of the most exciting young talents on show in the Premier League and indeed throughout world football since his 2013 arrival from Barnsley, his rare agility and quality on the ball standing out as particularly unique for an English centre-half.
Chelsea’s interest in the England international is no great secret, having seen three bids rejected during the summer, including a final offer of £30million, despite him handing in a transfer request. The Blues are expected to make yet another bid in January in an effort to arrest their woeful start to the season. The Premier League champions find themselves in 16th place after twelve games, just three points above the relegation zone and 13 points off a Champions League spot, with the third-worst goals conceded record in the division.
But Manchester United made their interest known during the summer, albeit deciding not to get involved in a feisty bidding war with their Premier League rivals, and it was reported upon once again by The Telegraph yesterday evening, who also detailed European champions Barcelona as keen admirers. The 6 foot 2 defender’s ball-playing style would certainly suit the Nou Camp philosophy.
But it appears all three clubs will have to put any hopes of signing Stones on hold until at least next summer – when the centre-back’s market value could skyrocket depending upon his involvement in England’s Euro 2016 campaign. Talking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Everton’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa on Saturday, the Goodison gaffer insisted that none of his best players will be leaving the club in the coming transfer window.
He said; “From our point of view the window in January will be to see if there’s anything that can help our squad. We don’t look on it as a window to be really involved whether that’s buying or selling. It’s more a matter of continuity. It’s about developing competition for places between the ones we already have. Our best players will not be leaving in January. We’re not in a position where we have to make financial decisions or balance the books.”