Chelsea And Arsenal To Fight For Everton Defender

Arsenal and Chelsea are ready to make their move for Everton’s highly-
rated defender John Stones but face a tough task in persuading the
Merseysiders to cash in this summer, according to the Daily Mail.
Stones joined

Everton from Barnsley in January 2013 for a fee in the region of £3million
when then-boss David Moyes beat a whole host of clubs to the
youngsters signature.
The 19-year-old made his first team debut back in January and has
practically been a mainstay at the back ever since in the absence of
captain Phil Jagielka, with his impressive form seeing him tipped for a
potential call-up to the England squad for this summers World Cup.
It seems his display’s have also caught the eye of Arsenal and Chelsea
with the Daily Mail claiming the duo are ready to make formal offers for
the defender this summer after having him watched on several occasions
in recent months.

The Gunners are expected to bring in at least one defender this summer
with the futures of Bacary Sagna and Thomas Vermaelen in doubt and
Arsene Wenger is reportedly impressed by Stones’ composure and ability
to bring the ball out from the back.
Chelsea on the other hand are on the look-out for a long-term
replacement for skipper John Terry and the England U-21 star is
displaying all the attributes Jose Mourinho is looking for in a successor.
However, the duo are likely to face a difficult task in trying to lure Stones
to London with the newspaper suggesting that Everton are in no mood to
let the talented youngster leave without a fight as they look to build a
squad capable of competing in the Champions League.
Roberto Martinez side currently occupy fourth place in the Premier League
table and are in the driving seat to pip Arsenal to that all-important final
Champions League qualification spot, and if they manage to hang on to
it, the Merseysiders are confident they’ll be able to keep hold of their star man.

K.C.UMEOKAFOR