LONDON, Sporting Alert – Everton have rejected a bid of £25m from Chelsea for defender John Stones and told the Premier League champions the defender is not for sale, according to reports on Wednesday.
It is understood Jose Mourinho is a keen admirer of Stones and is hoping to tempt the England centre-back away from Goodison in the current transfer window.
However, Everton are determined to hold on to the 21-year-old who has been tipped by several of his teammates to move to a bigger club at some point in his career.
The Blues would love to bring Stones to Stamford Bridge to link up with the likes of John Terry, Gary Cahill and Kurt Zouma, but Sky Sports is reporting that Everton have no intentions to sell and have rejected the reported improved offer from Chelsea.
Reports claimed Everton had turned down an initial offer of £20m.
But despite the latest snub, it is believed Chelsea are keen on landing the improving centre-back and could return with another offer this summer.
Sky Bet is now backing the London club at 1/4 to sign Stones.
Everton manager Roberto Martinez is fixed on keeping the centre-half, as he thinks Goodison Park is the best place for him to continue to develop.
Martinez also thinks that if the club was to lose the defender, it would be a massive setback in his quest to build a squad to battle for a top-four place.
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