Chelsea to battle Barcelona in race to sign £40m rated defender

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Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing long-term Chelsea target John Stones according to the Daily Express.

The 21-year-old England international was the subject of a number of failed Blues bids over the summer and will cost around £40m.

Jose Mourinho has seen his defence struggle this term, only Sunderland have conceded more Premier League goals, and as such the Chelsea manager’s interest in Stones will only have increased.

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique must be similarly concerned about his Nou Camp back-line after seeing the Catalan outfit fall to defeats at Celta Vigo and Sevilla in recent weeks and the La Liga title holders have conceded more than four times the number of goals Real Madrid have leaked.

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Roberto Martinez did well to fight off interest in Stones over the summer but the Spaniard may well feel resigned to losing the former Barnsley man sooner rather than later and the addition of another high-profile prospective suitor could well lead to a bidding war that could boost the sum Everton could receive for the versatile defender.

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