Chelsea’s quest to sign John Stones may be all over as Jose Mourinho hinted about pursuing other targets, according to the Liverpool Echo.
Stones has been the subject of aggressive interest from Mourinho, who has earmarked the former Barnsley youngster as the perfect replacement for John Terry.
Everton have told the Premier League champions they have absolutely no intention of selling one of their prized assets, but the Merseysiders are preparing themselves for a third bid.
Offers of £20million and £26million for Stones have already been rejected and Chelsea have grown frustrated with Everton’s staunch refusal to sell.
“The market sometimes has no rules.” said Mourinho.
“We, as Chelsea, we make our own rules.
“To make our own rules is to evaluate the players, and to know the players’ value, and to know when we have to stop and turn to another side, and think in another option.”
Recent media reports suggested that Chelsea were prepared in excess of £30million for the 21-year-old England international, but Roberto Martinez will not entertain any bids as he looks to strengthen his backline with cover for Stones and his defensive partner Phil Jagielka.
UPDATE: It seems that Mourinho hasn’t been fully put off by Everton’s stubbornness yet, as Chelsea look set to return with a third bid for John Stones, according to the Express.
Roberto Martinez has been persistent in his claims that the 21-year-old is not for sale and pledged to keep his star man on Sunday, but Chelsea are reportedly desperate to acquire Stones, who is seen as an ideal replacement for John Terry.
Meanwhile, in the Guardian, Rio Ferdinand has had his say on where Stones should ply his trade.
“If he goes to Man United, he plays every week so that’s the right club for him,” Ferdinand said.
“If he goes to Chelsea, he’s not playing every week.
He’s at that stage of his development where he wants to play every week. If you say to any young footballer to leave a club to sit on the bench, you’ve got to be a lunatic. You have to be.”
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