Chelsea are set to make a £30m ($47m) bid for Everton defender John Stones in a bid to prise him to Stamford Bridge, as reported by the Guardian.
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‘For me it should be shut in the first week of August and then everyone has their squad for the season‘.
Everton manager Roberto Martinez has been angered by Chelsea’s public pursuit of Stones but praised the youngster despite his mistake for the second goal conceded in the 2-2 draw with Watford on Saturday. There is nothing to make a decision on.
“If we’re disappointed, and we have the feeling that we have lost two points in this stadium, it is a good sign”, he added.
“You always have to keep these things without a definitive statement”. As for Arouna Koné’s 86th-minute equaliser, it left Martinez glad to have seen the “Arouna Koné I know he can be”, though the fans who groaned at his introduction may need a bit more convincing.
Tony Hibbert, Steven Pienaar, Darron Gibson, Muhamed Besic and Aiden McGeady all miss out due to injury.
But Stones is not sulking after an impressive display, and he was helped by Barkley stepping up and showing the talent that took him into the England side at such a young age.
“It is a bit mind boggling when all sorts of numbers are thrown in the papers and it is a test of character”, the veteran defender explained. From the manager to the amount of players they have brought in, with really strong experience at the highest level, this is a new group clearly but straight away you are going to see a team that know what they are trying to do.
Martinez also said that Gerard Deulofeu has a “chance” to be fit for the game.
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Everton boss Roberto Martinez is drawing up a list of defensive targets amid fears Stones could leave for Chelsea before the close of the transfer window.
