Chelsea Transfer News: Elite Stars Targeted by Jose Mourinho Before Deadline Day

Chelsea are continuing to look elsewhere following their failure to land Everton's John Stones, and they have reportedly targeted Monaco's Aymen Abdennour instead.

That's according to Neil Ashton of the Daily Mail, who noted, "Chelsea have opened negotiations with Monaco for Abdennour...and are confident they can make the deal happen before Tuesday’s transfer deadline."

Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri also reported the news:

The centre-back was a key player for Monaco last season when fit.

According to Squawka, Abdennour won a phenomenal 71 per cent of his tackles and 68 per cent of his duels in Ligue 1 last season. WhoScored.com highlighted the kind of all-action performances he's capable of:

The Tunisia international also impressed in the Champions League, with B/R's own Sam Tighe putting him in his Champions League XI for the tournament. He said Abdennour "headed, cleared and speared everything within five feet of him at all times. ... He dominated aerially and smashed through tackles with precision."

The 26-year-old would make a fine alternative to Stones and likely prove much cheaper to acquire.

As for the England international, it appears he is staying at Goodison Park for the time being, despite handing in a transfer request and Chelsea's repeated bids for his services.

Jon Super/Associated Press

According to the Mirror's John Cross, Everton boss Roberto Martinez said: "It is no good just to think that because you have a Champions League budget you’re going to click your fingers and get anything you want. Clearly we don’t work like that."

Cross reported Stones as being "devastated" following the Toffees' decision to block the move. Martinez added: "As you can imagine, it is a very tough time for him, and as a player, you are full of emotions and a little bit mixed-up."

With four years remaining on his contract at Goodison, it seems that Stones will need to get over his disappointment, as he will most likely stay there for another year at the very least.

As for Chelsea, a defensive reinforcement would still be useful following their difficult start to the season, which has seen them ship eight goals in just three matches.

Abdennour would be a strong acquisition, and his physicality and no-nonsense brand of defending would likely see him thrive in English football, so the Blues would do well to snap him up before another Champions League side offers him an upgrade on Monaco.