Chelsea are set to table a fourth and final bid for Everton starlet John Stones, according to reports.
Stones has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this summer, but the Premier League champions have seen bids of £20m, £26m and £30m turned down by the Toffees.
Chelsea are not giving up hope of signing the England international before the closure of the summer transfer window, with The Guardian [via Daily Star] reporting the London club will table a final £40m bid for the defender.
The 21-year-old is reported to have handed in a transfer request yesterday, but Everton boss Roberto Martinez is understood to be desperate to keep hold of his most prized asset.
According to The Sun, however, Everton are preparing to sell Stones after attempting to buy-out a £4.5m sell-on clause due to be paid to Stones’ former club Barnsley.
The Toffees will have to move quickly to make a decision, as the club has less than a week to find a replacement for Stones.
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