CHELSEA LINE UP £20M BID FOR TERRY REPLACEMENT

Everton defender John Stones is said to have been identified by Chelsea as John Terry’s long-term replacement.

Everton’s youth academy has produced a number of fine players over the last few years which have caught the attentions of the Premier League’s biggest clubs, and Seamus Coleman and Ross Barkley are the latest to be making ground-breaking progress. But one of Everton's young signings is also earning the plaudits.

Ex-Barnsley academy defender John Stones joined the Toffees for a reported £3m in January 2013, and just over 15 months later, the 19-year-old is now said to be being lined up as a future Chelsea star.

The Daily Star reports that the Blues are willing to bid a sensational £20m and offer the youngster £55,000-a-week contract in an attempt to lure him to Stamford Bridge this summer.

The England U21 international has been one of a number of the Everton success stories during Roberto Martinez’s debut season at Goodison Park. He has made 20 Premier League appearances in total, making 84 clearances and topping the club’s charts with an 89.7% pass success rate.

Since the turn of the year, Stones has become more involved in the first-team XI - starting the last 13 games in all competitions and playing a major part in Everton's fabulous seven-game winning streak during March and early April,