Chelsea have continued its pursuit of Everton centre-back John Stones after making a third bid for the star youngster.
Blues boss Jose Mourinho is understood to be desperate to sign the 21-year-old, and The Telegraph reports the London club have tabled a new £30m bid for Stones.
Everton manager Roberto Martinez is understandably keen to keep hold of one of his most prized assets, and the report suggests Chelsea may have to offer as much as £40m to have any chance of signing the former Barnsley ace.
It was previously reported that a bid of £34m would be enough to tempt the Toffees into selling the England international, but it is now understood the Merseyside club will hold out for a bid of £40m.
Chelsea’s defence was made to look second rate by Manchester City on Sunday, with club skipper John Terry benched at half-time as City ran out rampant 3-0 winners.
Mourinho is keen to bolster his squad before the end of the summer transfer window, but it remains to be seen if Roman Abramovich is keen to splash £40m on the young defender.
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