Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on John Stones, Paul Pogba and Top Blues Rumours

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will look for alternative options in defence this summer after seeing a fourth bid turned down for Everton's John Stones, but the links to Juventus star Paul Pogba could run until the transfer deadline.

The Toffees rejected an offer worth £37 million on Thursday, according to Darren Lewis of the Mirror. The reigning Premier League champions are now ready to look elsewhere in their hunt for defensive reinforcements.

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Chelsea have until Tuesday's transfer deadline to make their move for a new centre-back as they seek to find the successor to wilting veteran and former England international John Terry.

News of a massive fourth bid emerged on the same day that chairman Bill Kenwright released a statement confirming the club have rejected Stones' transfer request, as posted by Bleacher Report's Garry Hayes:

The Daily Star's Marc Williams cited ESPN, reporting that Zenit St. Petersburg centre-back Ezequiel Garay is the next priority for Mourinho, who appears adamant about adding options in central defence.

It just so happens Mourinho was at the Real Madrid helm when Garay was sold to Benfica in 2011, but the Argentina international has since gone on to establish himself as an elite force in the position.

Williams added that Zenit insist their player is not for sale, and it could be the Russian Premier League champions will prove difficult to barter with given their own strong financial standing.

Meanwhile, David Cartlidge of beIN Sports says Garay has been in contact with players at Valencia following Nicolas Otamendi's £32 million move to Manchester City earlier this month:

As a rising force of the English top flight, Stones may be viewed as the natural heir to Terry's throne, having already featured for the Three Lions and steadily made ground as a Premier League power.

The 21-year-old's situation has been further complicated by reports from the Sun insisting Stones has been forced to live in a hotel after being confronted by Everton fans at his home in Cheshire, per Izzy Horsefield of the Daily Express.

Despite his transfer request, Stones started for Everton in their 5-3 Capital One Cup triumph over Barnsley on Wednesday, after which manager Roberto Martinez told Sky Sports his player is not for sale:

Centre-backs Kurt Zouma and Gary Cahill are set to start for Chelsea against Crystal Palace on Saturday following Terry's sending off in the 3-2 win over West Bromwich Albion.

Stones might be viewed by Stamford Bridge as the ideal recruit to fill his boots, but it appears Everton aren't prepared to budge on the deal and will force the west London giants to look elsewhere.

Paul Pogba Set for Deadline-Day Drama

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There may be brighter hope in the pursuit of Juve talisman Pogba, though, as the Independent (via the Daily Star's Williams) insist Chelsea will work until Tuesday's 6 p.m. BST deadline in their efforts to cut a deal.

Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri reports the lines of communication between Chelsea and Juventus are still alive, adding that a deal could rest on who would be available to move in the opposite direction:

Chelsea have already concluded some recent business with the Bianconeri after former Fiorentina ace Juan Cuadrado completed a season-long loan move to Turin.

Di Marzio translator David Amoyal can see why Pogba is so highly valued by the Old Lady, however, outlining what a strong core of youth players the Serie A champions boast:

Williams mentioned that Pogba is currently valued at £70 million, and while Chelsea may be considered one of the clubs capable of forking out such an extravagant fee, agreeing the right deal with Juve could prove tricky.

Pogba has made more than 100 appearances for Juventus since arriving at the club on a free transfer from Manchester United in 2012, a move which might be regarded as one of the savviest pieces of business in modern times.

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Mourinho already has a strong midfield tandem in Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic, but the Portuguese tactician could push the Spaniard further forward if Pogba were to arrive in west London.

The Blues have been relatively quiet in the market this summer, with Barcelona winger Pedro their only major acquisition thus far, but a deal to sign Pogba would quickly turn that lull around.