Chelsea Transfer News: John Stones Reportedly 'Wants' Move Amid New Bid Rumours

Everton centre-back John Stones is reportedly "definitely interested" in securing a transfer to Premier League champions Chelsea.

The Blues recently saw a £20 million offer rejected, per Darren Lewis of the Mirror. Lewis also believes Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho will return with a £26 million bid, while Paul Joyce of the Express suggested the Portuguese manager is willing to offer up to £34 million to see the deal done.

A report by the Sun's Justin Allen (h/t Izzy Horsefield of the Express), quoted a source close to Everton when suggesting Stones is ready to leave:

"

This is not a Raheem Sterling situation where there's any bad feeling between John and the club or vice-versa—but John is definitely interested in going to Chelsea.

John was not misquoted last week but the timing of that quote being released by Everton was quite interesting because he actually spoke before the bid.

"

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Although captain John Terry and Gary Cahill are likely to remain Chelsea's first-choice centre-back duo next term, Mourinho plans to secure another developing talent to take on a back-up role alongside 20-year-old Kurt Zouma.

"One more defender and Chelsea will be ready for anything next season," said Mourinho, reported Lewis. "I am looking for a defender to finish the balance in our squad and after that we are ready to answer to anything that can happen with our players."

Zoning in on Stones, Mourinho previously told Sky Sports News: "We made a bid, the bid is there and Everton have the power to accept it or refuse it."

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"We would like to have two less than 25 years old, which would give us (strength in that position for) the next ten years," he continued, per Lewis.

Stones plays mature football and is already developing into a quality all-rounder. He is remarkably calm in possession and has an eye for a pass, making him a useful distributor from the back. Opposition strikers will find themselves well marked when coming up against Stones, whose reading of the game often allows him to anticipate and clear danger before it develops.

Everton boss Roberto Martinez isn't pleased with Chelsea's attempt to sign one of the Toffees' up-and-coming stars. "John Stones is an Everton player, full stop," he said, per BBC Sport. "We are not a selling club. We are not a club that needs to be worried about what other clubs put through the press."

Stones is a potential future England regular and someone who can be considered a long-term replacement for Terry at Stamford Bridge. Few Premier League centre-backs offer more grace and poise on the ball, but his combative qualities shouldn't be glossed over either.

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Former Manchester United stalwart Rio Ferdinand—whose record as Britain's most expensive defender will be beaten if Stones costs £34 million—rates the player extremely highly:

Playing under Terry could help his game improve, as while Stones naturally possesses better technical skills than the Blues captain, he needs to develop further. A future partnership of Stones and Zouma would possess everything needed to dominate the English division if both continue working to their full abilities.

Martinez may be playing a losing game, but if he's to let Stones leave, Chelsea will need to massively commit to the player's transfer.

Money so often talks in the Premier League—look at Everton's sale of Wayne Rooney to Manchester United in 2004—so the Merseyside club will have a difficult time outmaneuvering Chelsea's funds if Mourinho is willing to spend a hefty fee.