UK Back Pages: Chelsea Ready to Up Bid for John Stones and Sign Everton Defender

John Stones looks like the next young England player set for a big Premier League move, with the Everton defender the subject of strong rumours linking him to Chelsea on Saturday's back pages.

In the Daily Mirror, the report reads that the Blues are ready to up their offer for Stones after an initial bid was rejected.

However, it also notes that both Manchester clubs will be watching carefully and considering moves of their own:

"

MIRROR SPORT: Gem Stones #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/wnpEeYHPIw

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) July 17, 2015"

In the Independent, meanwhile, Fabian Delph gets a spot on the back page. His U-turn on a Manchester City move dominated Friday's news agenda:

"

INDEPENDENT SPORT: Staring defeat in the face #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/7CcrMaxP3X

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) July 17, 2015"

In the Daily Express, the focus is on Delph's indecision, but on the left-hand side a separate report suggests that Manchester United are ready to move for Pedro.

The Barcelona winger had been linked with Chelsea and other Premier League clubs during the transfer window, but according to the report, Louis van Gaal wants to bring him to Old Trafford: 

"

EXPRESS SPORT: Delph does it again #tomorrowspaperstoday #mcfc pic.twitter.com/n9n0T8aebw

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) July 17, 2015"

And in the Sun, Delph and Stones both get a spot on the back page:

"

SUN SPORT: U traitor Delph #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/KYRnTOeyno

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) July 17, 2015"

The competition for space on the back pages is fierce, however, and with England struggling in the Ashes, The Open Championship moving into the weekend and Chris Froome pushing for glory in the Tour de France, that's about the extent of the football coverage in the most prominent positions.

[Twitter]