Chelsea and Manchester United target John Stones has been reportedly made into a Los Blancos target for the winter window. Zidane is looking to shore up the defence that is constantly leaking goals even as Benitez had looked to implement a defence first policy.
The price being pointed out is around the 40 million sterling mark and is easily to be surpassed in the event that the other two clubs also enter the arena for the talented young Englishman. Chelsea have been the closest to acquire his services overall as they had lodged a 35 million bid for him over the summer and had even tempted him enough to submit an official transfer request to the club. The board’s reluctance and Martinez’s constant pleading combined with an immediate assurance over his role at the club managed to turn the youngster’s mind but it is widely expected that he will definitely leave the club soon as he has so far not signed a contract with the Merseyside club.
Roberto Martinez had affirmed that the club will not be selling any important players over the upcoming window for any price but the fact that it is Real Madrid, coupled with the fee being mooted might tempt the club to think again and finally allow the player to leave.
The fact that Stones will not be cup tied in the Champions League for any of the three clubs makes him a much more important prospect that other young defenders like Marquinhos who will not be allowed to play in the Champions league since he has already registered previously for the PSG squad.
With Real entering the race, Chelsea and Manchester United will have to ramp up their preparations as losing out on a home-grown talent might come back to haunt them with the sort of rules being thought of by the Premier League regulators.