Chelsea are closing in on a deal to sign Everton starlet John Stones, according to reports.
Stones has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, and despite Everton boss Roberto Martinez’s insistence that the 21-year-old will remain with the Toffees, The Sun reports that the Merseyside club are planning his exit.
Chelsea are expected to make a fourth bid of around £33m to take the youngster to Stamford Bridge, and the report revealed that Everton have attempted to buy-out a £4.5m sell-on clause due to be paid to Stones’ former club Barnsley.
The £3m fee Everton paid Barnsley for Stones guaranteed the League One club 15 per cent of any profits the Toffees made on any future deals for the player.
According to The Sun, Everton are now planning to sell Stones after offering Barnsley a settlement below the initial agreement between the two clubs.
With less than a week remaining until the close of the summer window, it will be interesting to see if Everton part ways with Stones considering they now have very little time to sign a replacement.
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