Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on John Stones and John Obi Mikel Rumours

Chelsea may have missed out on landing Everton's John Stones this summer, but the Blues are reportedly determined to get their man and will return for the defender in January.

That's according to Simon Johnson of the Evening Standard, who added that Chelsea "remain convinced" they will be able to prise the youngster away from Goodison Park.

Johnson also noted that Chelsea snapped up Nantes defender Papy Djilobodji on deadline day; however, "he is merely seen as a cheap back-up option." Football writer Robin Bairner appears to share that view:

Should Djilobodji indeed prove to be a short-term acquisition, then further attempts to sign Stones are likely.

FRANCK FIFE/Getty Images

The 21-year-old handing in a transfer request is also a highly encouraging sign for Chelsea.

According to Goal.com's Harry Sherlock, Everton boss Roberto Martinez said: "Obviously he's been put under massive, massive pressure. The transfer request was something he didn't mean to do."

However, the request is a fairly clear demonstration of Stones' interest in a switch to Stamford Bridge.

The Daily Mail's Ian Ladyman believes it would be a good move for the youngster:

Everton will undoubtedly resist Chelsea's advances in January as robustly as they did this summer, but unless the club can seriously convince Stones that he will be better off staying at Goodison Park, a move sooner or later seems inevitable.

Jose Mourinho 'Blocked John Obi Mikel Exit'

According to Radyospor, via Metro, John Obi Mikel neared a move to Besiktas this summer, "only for Jose Mourinho to cancel the move in the aftermath of his side’s failure to capture [Paul] Pogba."

Chelsea reportedly continued their pursuit of the Juventus star throughout the summer and right up to deadline day, per Tony Banks of the Daily Star.

However, Pogba is staying in Turin for another season ahead of a high-profile, big-money move in the near future, most likely next year.

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Mikel made just 18 Premier League appearances for Chelsea last season, completing just three matches.

The Nigerian is some way off the exceptional, title-winning quality the likes of Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas bring, and it is certainly about time he moved on from Stamford Bridge.

However, after the Blues' failure to land Pogba or indeed any other midfield options, keeping hold of the 28-year-old is a wise move.

Chelsea are already somewhat limited in their central options, so selling Mikel this summer would have only compounded that. 

For example, Manchester United allowed six attacking players to leave Old Trafford this summer and brought in just two, making them severely understrength and most likely unable to launch anything resembling a genuine title challenge.

In keeping Mikel, Chelsea are wisely covering their bases in case of injury, and while he has never been a particularly decisive player for them, his experience and ability to keep possession ticking over will be useful until he can be replaced with an upgrade.

Pogba won't be moving in January, but it seems likely Mourinho will target another central option, so Mikel could well be heading elsewhere in the winter.