According to reports from Mirror Football, Manchester City are leading Chelsea, Barcelona and Real Madrid in the race to sign Everton defender John Stones.
The 21-year-old has emerged as one of the most exciting home-grown talents in the Premier League since moving to Goodison Park from Barnsley in January 2013, boasting rare skill and agility for an English centre-half.
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And the seven-cap international’s meteoric rise has not gone unnoticed Europe’s top clubs. Chelsea notoriously saw a series of bids for Stones rejected by Everton last summer, the most lucrative believed to be worth around £38million, whilst La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid have been linked with his services in recent weeks.
But according to Mirror Football, Manchester City are currently leading the race for the £50million-rated defender’s signature. They’re prepared to meet that lofty valuation next summer with central defence still a real problem area and, unlike Chelsea, can offer Stones the incentive of instantaneous Champions League football.
Similarly, the Blues’ interest has reportedly waned since last summer and particularly since Jose Mourinho was relieved of his duties last month. They’ve recently been linked with an alternative in Atletico Madrid’s prodigious centre-back Jose Gimenez.
Also in the news:
Chelsea send transfer warning to Roma
Spurs hoping to fend off Chelsea & Man United with bumper deal for key man
Man City winger on verge of Celtic move
Everton set to miss out as Arsenal agree £23m winger fee
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