Chelsea have had a £20m bid for John Stones rejected by Everton.
According to Sky Sports, the Premier League champions have made an official offer for the England international, which is said to have been instantly rebuffed by the Toffees.
Last August, the 21-year-old put pen-to-paper on a new five-year contract with the Merseyside outfit, and the club may therefore be holding out for much steeper price for the rising youngster – if they are willing to cash in this summer.
The centre-back was excellent last season – despite Everton’s disappointing campaign – making 23 Premier League appearances and establishing himself as one of England’s most promising young defenders.
Stones made his first start for the Three Lions against Norway in September 2014 at Wembley Stadium.
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Mourinho may consider the defender as John Terry’s long-term replacement – with the Blues skipper himself having previously expressed admiration for the youngster:
“I have seen a lot of games and I am a big fan of his. He pulls wide of the box and wants the ball and for a young defender to do that in the Premier League takes some guts,” as quoted by the London Evening Standard.
“He is exceptional with both feet, he is a ball-playing centre half which you need to be these days.
“He is extremely confident. He looks to play from the back and that can only be good for English football that the likes of him are coming through. He is definitely one I have been impressed by.”