Chelsea face a serious challenge to sign Everton defender John Stones before the close of the summer window.
According to the Daily Star, Jose Mourinho is not struggling to sign the England international because of the Toffees’ reluctance to sell or the Blues’ unwillingness to meet their valuation, but as a result of a sell-on agreement with former side Barnsley written into his contract.
The British newspaper reveal that when Stones made the move to Goodison Park in a £3m deal in January 2013, Everton agreed to give the League One side 15% of any future transfer fee.
Everton have rejected two offers of £20m and £25m for the 21-year-old’s signature, and are said to want in excess of £30m.
Mourinho may consider Stones as a long-term replacement to John Terry, and such is the reputation of the youngster, that the Portuguese manager likely isn’t finished in his pursuit.
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Their pursuit may not go uncontested, however, as Manchester City and Manchester United are rumoured to have recently entered the transfer race.
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