Chelsea & Jose Mourinho still confident of signing £26m Everton star, as defender warms to Stamford Bridge switch

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Chelsea are still confident of signing Everton star John Stones despite the Toffees’ reluctance to sell, reports ESPN.

The Stamford Bridge outfit have already seen a £20 million bid for the centre-back turned down, but are now set to return with a £26 million offer. The West London side are understood to be more optimistic about this second bid with the player himself reportedly keen on a move to the Premier League champions [ESPN].

Manchester United have also dropped their interest in any new defenders except for Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos [Manchester Evening News], after being linked with Stones [Daily Express]. This could have given Jose Mourinho’s side even more hope of signing the England international, with one of the Pensioners’ key potential transfer rivals now out of the running for his signature.

However, the Goodison Park outfit aren’t happy with how the Portuguese coach or Gary Cahill have been openly speaking about their efforts to sign the 21-year-old. Everton have even insisted that the player isn’t for sale, but doesn’t seem to have put off the London-based side.

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34-year-old John Terry is not getting any younger, and the former England international may soon require a replacement as a result of his ageing legs. Even though 20-year-old Kurt Zouma is already at the club, Chelsea appear keen to recruit another potential long-term replacement for the former Three Lions skipper.

The Toffees have already lined up a replacement for Stones if he goes, according to the Daily Express. They are keen to bring in Celtic ace Virgil van Dijk for £10 million if they lose their star player. However, they could go after the player even if they don’t sell their centre-back, with Phil Jagielka currently the only other senior player in the position at the club after the departures of Antolin Alcaraz and Sylvain Distin.

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