John Stones has taken matters into
his owns hands and handed in a transfer request in attempt to force through his
dream move to Chelsea.
The champions are now expected to
return with a fourth bid in the region of £35million for the defender as one of
the biggest transfer sagas of the summer reaches a head.
Stones – who has seen Chelsea’s
offers of £20m, £26m and £30m rebuffed – did not want to take this course of
action but felt he had no other option as Everton hold such a stubborn
stance.
JOHN STONES FACTFILE
Age: 21
Clubs: Barnsley (2011 - 2013), Everton (2013 - present)
Total club appearances: 85
Goals: 2
England caps: 4
Everton manager Roberto Martinez insisted last Friday
that a transfer request from the 21-year-old would not make a difference to the
situation as it is too late in the window.
Asked if such a move would force the issue, Martinez
said: 'No. When you got a long-term contract those things don't change at all.
If someone comes in from nowhere and puts in a transfer request that is a
different situation.
'In a saga of I don't know how many weeks now, we are
very clear. I speak to John every day. As a footballer, unless two clubs reach
an agreement, you can't do anything.'
Martinez, who tried to sign Stones during his time as
Wigan manager, refused to be drawn on the subject when questioned during his
pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
'There is nothing to comment on that,' he said.
'Once more, it is always the same question and always the
same answer. The only thing that matters now is the game we have in front of
us. There is nothing to announce or discuss.
'I know it is your job to keep
asking the same question and unfortunately it is my job in this case to always
give you the same answer.'
The club gave no indication last
night as to whether the request has been accepted or rejected but they are now
in a difficult position as Stones has his heart set on a move to Stamford
Bridge.
Stones, who has arguably been
Everton’s best player so far this season, will not start Wednesday night's
Capital One Cup tie at his old club Barnsley but there is no suggestion he will
do anything as radical as going on strike.
It remains to be seen, though,
whether a player whom Martinez compared to Rio Ferdinand is in the right frame
of mind to be included in the 18-man squad – and if he will make the trip to
Tottenham on Saturday.
Martinez will have no choice but to
make contingency plans and Manchester United’s Jonny Evans – wanted by West
Brom – will be a target if Chelsea and Everton eventually agree a deal. So,
too, will Federico Fazio and it is understood Everton have made a £5million bid
for the Tottenham defender.
Victor Moses, who spent a season on
loan at Liverpool two years ago, is likely to be included in negotiations but
it remains to be seen whether he would be keen on moving to Goodison Park.
Chelsea regard Stones as John
Terry's long-term successor, with the club's shaky defensive performances so
far this season only increasing Mourinho's desire to sign him.
Asked about a deal for the defender
last Friday, Mourinho said: 'Let's see what happens.
'I don't speak about players from
other clubs when the championship has started.
'People used to call it the transfer
window. I call it the opportunity window. While the window is open, there is
always an opportunity.
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