Chelsea is ready to make a fourth and final bid worth £40 million for Everton defender John Stones, according to The Guardian.
Stones gave Chelsea a huge boost by submitting a transfer request yesterday and it seems Everton will be unable to keep hold of their young asset.
Everton has already rejected three bids for the 21-year-old English international £20 million, £26 million and £30 million from the Blues and Everton boss Roberto Martinez has stated many times that Stones is not for sale at any price but after Stones requesting a transfer, it will be hard for them to reject the new bid.
Everton had bought Stones from Barnsley in 2013 for just 3 million pounds. According to a deal with the feeder club, Everton will have to pay 15% of the deal to Barnsley.
Chelsea started their campaign for retaining the Premier League title poorly with a 2-2 draw with Swansea, and a 3-0 defeat against Manchester City and Roman Abramovich is furious with Jose Mourinho urging him to sign players to reinforce the squad.
If Stones does leave, Everton would be left with only one senior centre-half, England’s Phil Jagielka, in their squad, with less than a week to recruit.
Chelsea’s fourth offer is total around £35m with add-ons to take it to £40m – double their initial valuation of the defender – with the manager, José Mourinho, convinced Stones would represent both a long-term asset and a player who could be flung straight into his first team.