Chelsea Transfer News: John Stones Bid Readied, Latest Arda Turan Rumours

Chelsea are set to test Everton’s desire to keep hold of young centre-back John Stones this summer, with reports suggesting the Blues have no chance of landing Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane.

According to Simon Johnson of the London Evening Standard, Chelsea were going to wait another season before launching a bid for the England international. But the Blues are apparently keen to get a deal done sharpish, although Everton apparently have no intentions of selling the 20-year-old, whom they value at a minimum of £20 million.

As noted in Johnson’s piece, Chelsea skipper John Terry had high praise for the Toffees star earlier this month in an interview with talkSPORT:

"

I have seen a lot of games and I am a big fan of his. He pulls wide of the box and wants the ball and for a young defender to do that in the Premier League takes some guts.

He is exceptional with both feet, he is a ball-playing centre half which you need to be these days.

He is extremely confident. He looks to play from the back and that can only be good for English football that the likes of him are coming through. He is definitely one I have been impressed by.

"

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Stones’ ability with the ball at his feet has been lauded ever since he burst onto the scene for Everton. His composure in dangerous areas can occasionally put him trouble, but as the 20-year-old has matured, so too has his decision-making, meaning more often than not he struts away from awkward scenarios with a real swagger.

Former Everton and England international Gary Lineker admitted he's a big admirer:

But what’ll surely be most enamouring to Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho are the strides Stones has made in his game defensively. For a player so young, his defensive instincts are razor-sharp, and the manner in which he times tackles is an aesthetic delight.

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As noted by Matt Lawless of the Daily Mail, Stones seems set for big things:

Leaving Everton wouldn’t be the correct course of action yet, though. Stones has grown into a critical part of Roberto Martinez’s side, and another season at the heart of the Toffees defence would do wonders for his development. Certainly more than being in and out of the Chelsea first team, anyway.

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The Blues may push hard for the player, but given Stones signed a five-year deal last summer, the Merseysiders are under no pressure to sell their prized asset. Expect the former Barnsley man to be donning Everton blue, not Chelsea blue, when the 2015-16 season kicks off.

Arda Turan on the Move

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Atletico Madrid midfielder Arda Turan has confirmed that he is likely to leave the Spanish capital this summer, with Chelsea reportedly interested in bringing him to London.

The Turkish international put out the following message on his official Twitter feed on Sunday:

According to Iain Rogers of Reuters (h/t the MailOnline) Chelsea are one of a clutch of illustrious clubs chasing the 28-year-old, including Barcelona, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Milan.

Sports journalist Rafael Hernandez thinks that the Atletico man would be a tremendous acquisition, even if he is set to be a costly purchase:

"

Arda Turan release clause is approximately €41m, would be a perfect addition to Chelsea and Manchester United. Worth every penny.

— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) June 25, 2015"

Running the rule over Turan’s attributes, he’s a player who fits the Mourinho blueprint for attacking midfielders perfectly. The Atletico man is a versatile talent, capable of playing on either flank or off a striker and has consistently showcased the technical proficiency to thrive game after game in La Liga.

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As we can see here courtesy of Squawka Football, he’s a player who has no problem taking on opponents, either:

But there’s a dash of fortitude in Turan’s make-up. The manner in which he’s thrived in Diego Simeone’s high-octane, defensively focused system at Atletico is testament to his tenacity off the ball and willingness to put in a shift for his team. They are traits which will have endeared the player to Mourinho, who makes no secret of his admiration for these pragmatic values.

Turan seems a match made in heaven for the Premier League, and although Chelsea have options in these attacking midfield positions, the Turk’s balance between feistiness and flair would see him become a critical component in this Blues squad.