Chelsea have received even more hope of signing Everton defender John Stones, as the Toffees have come up with a replacement plan for the 21-year-old.
According to the Daily Express, Everton will be targeting Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk.
Southampton have already offered Celtic £7m for the Dutch international, but Everton are presumably ready to hijack that bid if Stones is sold.
Everton manager Roberto Martinez had insisted that Stones is not for sale, but the Toffees are now willing to accept £34m for the defender.
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Chelsea have not gotten back to Everton with a third bid since having their first two bids turned down though.
The Blues previously offered the Toffees £20m and £26m for Stones, and Mourinho (but who ever believes what he says?) even implied that he gave up on pursuing Stones.
Manchester United are also monitoring the Stones situation, but Chelsea are the favourites to secure his signature.
Van Dijk would surely relish a move to England. He is way better than the players he competes with and against in Scotland. He is currently a big fish in a small pond – a status that is unlikely to satisfy him for much longer.
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