Chelsea transfer news: John Stones hands in transfer request at EvertonEngland international attempts to force Goodison Park club to sell him to Premier League champions for £30millionJohn Stones has submitted a formal transfer request in a desperate attempt to persuade Everton to agree a deal with Chelsea.Stones handed in the request on Tuesday afternoon before training and informed Everton that he is keen to join the Premier League champions, who have seen three bids rejected during their pursuit this summer.The England international believes it is the only course of action open to him after Everton turned down Chelsea’s latest bid of around £30million.
Everton have adopted a hardline stance over the future of the defender and constantly insisted that he is not for sale, with manager Roberto Martinez also adamant that any transfer request would have no effect on the club’s position.
But Stones’ decision to officially request a transfer is the clearest sign yet that he wants to leave Goodison Park and link up with Jose Mourinho.Chelsea’s centre-halves John Terry and Gary Cahill have both struggled for form in the opening three games of the season and Mourinho is convinced Stones would have an immediate impact if he was to move.
Terry was sent off in Sunday’s win at West Bromwich Albion and also substituted in the heavy defeat against Manchester City. Cahill started on the bench at the Hawthorns.
Chelsea are likely to make a fourth offer for Stones later this week as they attempt to complete the deal before Tuesday’s deadline. It seems inevitable that Chelsea will have to break the British transfer record to sign him.
The current record is the £31.9million paid by City to Porto for Elaquim Mangala last summer and though Everton have refused to put a price tag on Stones, the deal could edge towards £40million – if it goes ahead.
Everton play Stones’ former club Barnsley at Oakwell in the Capital One Cup second round on Wednesday night and it remains to be seen whether the 21-year-old will be involved.
Despite the ongoing speculation he produced a solid performance in the home defeat to City on Sunday and has been praised by Martinez for his professionalism.
Martinez also insisted he will be part of Everton’s future but Stones has taken action as he prepares to leave after two-and-a-half years.
Earlier today, Martinez said: "Once more this is always the same question about John Stones and always the same answer.
"The only things that matter now are the games and to prepare for them, starting with Barnsley. There is nothing to announce and nothing to discuss. I know it is your job to ask the questions but it is my job to answer like this."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/11823514/Chelsea-transfer-news-John-Stones-hands-in-transfer-request-at-Everton.html
