In July, Everton rejected a second Blues bid of £26m for Stones, and this week a third offer has been turned down.
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The Guardian says Chelsea’s move for Stones has been triggered by their poor start to the season.
Ranocchia then made his first team debut for Arezzo in 2006 where he scored one league goal in 56 games before moving to Genoa in 2008. Furthermore, they have sent their younger players on loan which has left Chelsea lacking the depth they need to keep at par early this season.
That is maybe why Chelsea will have to up the ante a bit but I do think sometime this month Chelsea will take John Stones and make him their player.
But Everton manager Roberto Martinez seems keen on building the squad and fighting for a European spot rather than selling. Playing Daley Blind at centre-half is a clear indication of what the Dutchman expects from his defenders, and provides another reason why Stones would slot so effortlessly into United’s starting 11. The Englishman was visibly frustrated by that fact but Mourinho wanted a higher defensive line so he chose to play Kurt Zouma.
Cuadrado is more likely to return to Italy if he leaves Chelsea, with Juventus interested.
Apart from Ranocchia, the Merseyside club have also been linked with Bayern Munich’s Dante, but may find it hard to match the player’s wage demands.
Roberto Martinez has sympathy with supporters’ frustration with Everton’s lack of spending in the transfer market, but urged fans to trust chairman Bill Kenwright.
At the moment, it looks big after two games, but we just have to focus on our situation and how we can improve.
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Things can happen quickly though so I won’t truly be able to rest easy until the window official “slams shut” on at 6pm on September 1.
