Chelsea Transfer News: Latest John Stones and Diego Costa Rumours

Chelsea's chances of landing Everton centre-back John Stones could be thwarted by Premier League rival Manchester United. The Red Devils will reportedly offer Phil Jones as part of a deal to tempt the Toffees into resisting overtures from Stamford Bridge, according to ESPN (h/t Daily Star's Colin Harvey).

It's apparently a "cash-plus-player" deal. Everton may be tempted after Stones submitted a transfer request to leave Goodison Park during this transfer window, per Sky Sports.

The Toffees will be woefully short of centre-back options if Stones is sold during this window. Ageing Phil Jagielka needs a credible option alongside him. Jones would be that player if he could ever stay fit.

The former Blackburn Rovers man would also need extended time at the heart of defence, something he's never received at United.

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Of course, Stones' transfer request is also welcome news for Chelsea. The Premier League champions are prepared to offer £33 million for the 21-year-old, according to Jason Burt and John Percy of the Telegraph.

Yet the Guardian's Dominic Fifield reports the next offer from Chelsea will total closer to £40 million with add-ons. That's big money, but Harvey states Everton boss Roberto Martinez's sour view of the way Chelsea have pursued his player could scupper any chance of Stones moving to west London.

He also notes how United's history of dealing with Everton could increase the Old Trafford club's chances: "The Toffees boss has accused Chelsea of using underhand tactics to unsettle Stones. United and Everton share a good relationship after various transfers and David Moyes' short tenure at Old Trafford after leaving Goodison."

With tensions between Everton and Chelsea high, the Telegraph's Tom Cary believes this deal could be one of the so-called "toxic" transfers fans love to hate. Clary sees the controversy as the ideal tonic for a so-far sluggish window. 

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It may not matter at all if the Goodison Park hierarchy simply refuses to let Stones go. While that seems unlikely, the Independent's Samuel Stevens has highlighted footage from social media account BPL Zone, appearing to show club director Jon Woods confirming Everton won't sell.

Whether it's United or Chelsea, and it's probably the latter, Stones will handle the spotlight of a bigger stage. That's according to his ex-Barnsley youth coach Ronnie Branson, per an interview with BBC World Service (h/t BBC Sport):

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He's a real defender. There is a lot of talk at the moment about whether he is a good defender. We all know he can step in and get the ball and set attacks off but can he defend? Yes he can. He has a steeliness that people don't realise.

He's done well at Everton and got into the England first team.
Every step he's taken, he's managed it well, so going there won't faze him.

"

Expect Chelsea to still get their man. But the United rumours will force the Stamford Bridge club to cough up the full price.

Diego Costa Wants Atletico Madrid Return

From something very likely to happen to something that almost certainly won't. Star striker Diego Costa wants to leave Chelsea after barely more than one season with the Blues.

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Costa wants to return to La Liga side Atletico Madrid, according to Marca (h/t Jack de Menezes of the Independent:

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According to Spanish newspaper Marca, Costa met Atletico Madrid chief executive Miguel Ángel Gil in Ibiza during the summer by chance, where he informed his former boss that he would love to return to the Vicente Calderon.

The report goes on to add that Costa has informed the entire Atletico Madrid squad that he wants a move back to Spain, triggering Gil to make contact with Costa’s agent, Jorge Mendes.

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De Menezes also reports how Mendes immediately quashed this rumour in its tracks. He told Atleti officials Costa won't leave Stamford Bridge.

That should put to bed one of the more outlandish rumours of this transfer window. Yes, Costa has struggled at the start of this season. In fact, he hasn't looked himself for a while now.

But truthfully, he never looked particularly happy when he was rattling in the goals for Chelsea during the first half of last season. That's just the way it goes with the prolific Spain international.

When he's fully fit, meaning sans the hamstring issues that have plagued him recently, Costa is one of the deadliest strikers in Europe. His movement is varied and intelligent, and he rarely wastes chances once they come his way.

Chelsea don't possess another striker with these qualities, and there aren't many, if any, on the market. Selling him simply isn't going to happen.

But Blues boss Jose Mourinho is certainly serious about landing Stones. He won't be scared off by any late action from Old Trafford.