John Stones Transfer News: Latest Rumours, Speculation on Everton Defender

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright has issued a statement confirming John Stones won't be sold this summer.

Chelsea have made four bids for the young centre-back, but Toffees manager Roberto Martinez is adamant his player will remain at Goodison Park, despite Stones' transfer request.  

Continue for updates.

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Everton Block Stones Exit; Martinez Criticises Public Dealings

Friday, Aug. 28

"Everton Football Club has rejected a transfer request from John Stones," read an official club statement from Kenwright. "Since the start of the transfer window, we have resolutely turned down offers from another Premier League football club for our player. John is not for sale and he will remain a highly valued member of our first team squad."

Stones handed in his transfer request on Aug. 25, per Sky Sports Football. It came after a long, public pursuit from Chelsea, which has irked Toffees boss Martinez, per Phil Kirkbride of the Liverpool Echo on July 18:

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First of all, we pride ourselves in playing a certain way and educating our young players in a manner that means they are always going to get attention from elsewhere. That is a compliment, a footballing compliment. 

The other side is the disappointment in seeing a football club making it (the bid for Stones) so open, I don’t think that is the way we do it at Everton. 

We don’t speak about a player when he is registered at another club and there is no issue from our point of view—John Stones is an Everton player full stop. 

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Chelsea Consider Giving up on Stones after Multiple Bids Fail

Friday, Aug. 28

"Chelsea have had an astonishing fourth bid of £37 million for Stones rejected—and could now walk away," reported Darren Lewis of the Mirror.

The Blues had already "failed with bids of £20 million, £26 million and £30 million," per the Telegraph's Matt Law on Aug. 18.

The London outfit have made no effort to hide their pursuit of Stones, after manager Jose Mourinho publicly declared his club's interest at the end of July, per Sky Sports:

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We made a bid, the bid is there and Everton have the power to accept it or refuse it.

If we made a bid it is because we like the player, we don’t make bids for players we don’t like, but we respect Everton and respect every club that has a player and it is up to them—everything is in their hands.

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Cahill Urges Stones to Join Chelsea

Wednesday, July 22

"When Chelsea came calling for me, it was an opportunity, it was a chance and looking from the outset you may not be sure how it’s going to go. But it’s one you can’t turn down; you have to grab it with both hands," said Blues defender Gary Cahill, per Steve Brenner of the Guardian.

Stones started 23 Premier League games at the heart of the Merseysiders' defence last term, per WhoScored.com, and has been a shining light over the past two years. 

Chelsea are clearly looking to swell their defensive stock in the knowledge John Terry cannot go on forever. The veteran rolled back the years last season, leading Mourinho's men to the title in impressive fashion, but the Special One will be thinking about his long-term successor. 

Stones is a wonderful talent, but it is questionable whether Chelsea is the right move for him. His development could be stunted if he is confined to the bench and reserves; whereas under Martinez, he will play many more minutes of top-class football.