Chelsea and Manchester United target John Stones will be at Everton after the summer transfer window, according to Everton chairman Bill Kenwright.
The 21-year-old has long been a transfer target for the Premier League champions and they have seen multiple bids being rejected by the Merseyside club. The central defender has handed in a transfer request on Tuesday.
ESPN FC tells Jose Mourinho wants to sign Stones before the transfer window shuts on next Tuesday. They are also facing competition from their league rivals United. However, Everton chairman has rubbished any move for their star player this summer.
“Everton Football Club has rejected a transfer request from John Stones. Since the start of the transfer window, we have resolutely turned down offers from another Premier League football club for our player,” Kenwright told Sky Sports.
“John is not for sale and he will remain a highly-valued member of our first-team squad.”
Kenwright’s comments has been echoed by the Goodison Park club’s manager Roberto Martinez. The former Wigan Athletic boss has ruled out any potential sale of Stones after confirming the central defender is a key part of their plan at Everton for this season.
“Our fans know all we are doing is trying to become better and be as good as we can. John is a massive part of that and we’ve got a clear idea that in life and in football money can sometimes not buy everything. This is about values and John is a vital part of our future,” Martinez added.
Both Chelsea and United are in the market for a central defender. The Blues need a centre-back more than Louis van Gaal’s side as they have been conceding goals in the first three matches.
There is also a concern with John Terry’s performance as he is in his twilight of his career at Stamford Bridge.
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