Everton insist the John Stones saga is over after formally rejecting the England defender’s request to join Chelsea.
|||Everton insist the John Stones saga is over after formally rejecting the England defender’s request to join Chelsea.
Chairman Bill Kenwright issued a succinct three-paragraph statement last night to re-affirm the stance Everton have taken all summer — that Stones is not for sale.
Stones submitted his request on Tuesday in the hope of forcing through a move to Stamford Bridge but Everton manager Roberto Martinez told him during a meeting at the club’s Finch Farm facility yesterday that the club would not grant his wish.
As far as Martinez is concerned, it will be a case of business as usual and Stones will be selected for the squad that travels down to London for tomorrow’s clash with Tottenham.
It is understood that Chelsea returned with what they regarded to be a fourth and final bid earlier this week — it was in the region of £38million — but with that being rejected, it became clear that Everton’s position would not alter.
The 21-year-old (left) had been Jose Mourinho’s prime target. He has regarded Stones as John Terry’s long-term successor and has ambitions to pair the England international alongside Kurt Zouma.
But Everton have refused to buckle under pressure — Chelsea’s interest in Stones goes back months and there have been bids of £20m, £26m and £30m — even though they were aware of Stones’ desire to join the champions.
Kenwright said: ‘Everton Football Club has rejected a transfer request from John Stones.
‘Since the start of the transfer window, we have resolutely turned down offers from another Premier League football club for our player. John is not for sale and he will remain a highly valued member of our first-team squad.’
With Mourinho anxious to bolster his defence, he may now turn to Zenit St Petersburg’s Ezequiel Garay, but his admiration for Stones will not disappear and there is little doubt Chelsea will continue to track him.
Stones was subjected to abuse from Everton fans after his side’s dramatic Capital One Cup victory over Barnsley on Wednesday night.
Stones was in the starting line-up for the 5-3 extra-time win but was heckled off the Oakwell pitch by some of the away support as he headed towards the tunnel.
Footage from the stands showed one fan shouting, ‘F*** off Stones, you f****** rat’ at the 21-year-old, who was returning to his former club for the first time since he left in 2013. – Daily Mail
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