Transfer News: John Stones submits transfer request to Everton, Chelsea set to make final offer

Chelsea is set to make its final offer of £40 million (AU$88 million) to John Stones after the English defender submitted a formal transfer request to Everton on Wednesday. Everton has rejected multiple offers from the Blues for Stones, including the club’s recent offer of £30 million (AU$66.1 million), but with the Englishman’s intent to walk away from Goodison Park, Chelsea could make its final move to land its prized centre-back.

According to The Guardian, Stones privately informed Everton boss Roberto Martinez last week that he prefers a move to Chelsea. Despite Everton’s hardline stance to not make a move even if Stones asked for a transfer, the England international still handed in a formal transfer request in an attempt to force through a move to Stamford Bridge, reports Sky Sports.

Stones, who still has four years left in his contract with Everton, has drawn interest from the Premier League defending champs after an impressive start to the season. The Blues initially offered £20 million (AU$44.1 million) and £26 million (AU$57.2 million) in mid-July, but was flatly rejected by the Toffees. Chelsea then launched another attempt last week with an offer of around £30 million (AU$66.1 million), but Everton also turned down the deal, saying that the club had no intention of negotiating Stones to other teams.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was believed to have convinced Stones to stir an exit from Everton. Mourinho said that Stones would represent the Blues both as a long-term asset and a player who could play straight into the club’s first team.

Meanwhile, Everton could keep Stones, but the club would have an unhappy player in their lineup. However, if Stones does leave, Everton would only have a short period of time to look for a replacement before the transfer window ends on Tuesday. Stones departure would also leave the club with only one senior centre-half in Englishman Phil Jagielka.

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