Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on John Stones and Baba Rahman Rumours

Everton will sell defender John Stones to Chelsea this summer as long as the Premier League champions match their valuation of the player. However, the Blues have been left disappointed in their pursuit of Abdul Baba Rahman.

The Mirror's Dean Jones disclosed Everton will cash in on Stones as long as Chelsea are willing to pay £34 million for his signature, having already seen bids of £20 million and £26 million rejected.

Jeff Holmes/Getty Images

Chelsea's search for John Terry's successor quickly turned sour after Toffees manager Roberto Martinez criticised their public approach for the 21-year-old.

John Cross of the Mirror provided quotes from Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who fired back at those claims, insisting his admitted admiration of Stones has only been in relation to the questions asked by the press:

"

My feeling is just one and I'm not speaking about Everton or Stones. I'm just speaking in general. If I could, I would speak with you once in a month. And there are other people in football who if they could they would have a press conference every day. And I don't want to say anything else.

"

Jan Kruger/Getty Images

Now aware of just how much it would cost to purchase the England international, Chelsea need to decide whether Stones is worth the prescribed fee.

Match of the Day's Alan Shearer is clearly a fan of the up-and-coming central defender, stating his admiration for Stones and insisting it would be wise for Chelsea to invest:

Stones played the full 90 minutes in Everton's Premier League season opener against Watford on Saturday, which they drew 2-2 against the top-flight newcomers.

However, journalist Natasha Henry has previously questioned why Stones would move to Stamford Bridge at this point in his career, believing his playing time would be limited under Mourinho:

It's widely believed that up-and-coming English players come with a premium in regard to price, partly because of the fact they fit into the Premier League's homegrown-player policy, leading to investment in foreign stars.

With Stones already earning comparisons to the ageing Terry, however, Mourinho may want to get his hands on the raved-about Stones, but he'll only be able to do so for a gargantuan figure.

Augsburg Reject €25M Baba Bid

VI-Images/Getty Images

The Blues' efforts to sign Augsburg left-back Baba have hit a stumbling block after it emerged the Bundesliga club rejected a bid worth €25 million (£17.7 million) for the star.

The Guardian's Ed Aarons wrote that Augsburg are seeking a fee closer to €30 million (£21.2 million), with Chelsea again being held to ransom in their hunt for defensive recruits.

Cesar Azpilicueta is Mourinho's first choice at left-back, but Filipe Luis' return to Atletico Madrid earlier this summer has left space for a naturally left-footed defender.

Baba's agent, Sascha Empacher, recently spoke to German newspaper Bild  (h/t Sky Sports) to reveal personal terms have been agreed with Chelsea and that a transfer fee remains the only obstacle:

"It is only the clubs that have to find an agreement. We on our side are agreed."

CHRISTOF STACHE/Getty Images

The 21-year-old has been capped by Ghana on 11 occasions since making his debut last year on the back of some very promising form at club level.

Baba is clearly motivated to complete the Premier League switch, but Aarons adds the west Londoners are currently unprepared to increase their offer for the player:

Baba recorded four assists in 31 Bundesliga appearances last season and would likely sit as deputy to Azpilicueta, but cover in the role will be needed moving forward.

Augsburg's recent capture of former Bayern Munich academy player Philipp Max suggests the club may be willing to let Baba leave this summer, but Chelsea will again have to pay big money in order to land their target.