Chelsea: Premier League side reject £26m bid; want British record transfer fee

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Everton have rejected a second bid from Premier League rivals Chelsea for highly-rated defender John Stones, Telegraph Sport reports.

The Toffees turned down an offer thought to be in the region of £20 million earlier in the summer [via Sky Sports] and have knocked back yet another offer from the reigning Barclays Premier League champions. However, the Blues are expected to return with another bid before the end of the transfer window.

It’s understood that the Merseyside outfit are reluctant to sell Stones this summer, but could be tempted into cashing in on the England international should an offer of £34 million arrive, meaning they will be recouping over three times the fee they paid Barnsley in the 2013 January transfer window [via BBC Sport].

The fee would also represent a British record for a defender.

The 21-year-old has emerged as a top target for Blues boss Jose Mourinho and is seen as the perfect replacement for captain John Terry, who turns 35 in December and will surely begin to show signs of a decline in form over the course of the new season.

The West London outfit have already missed out on a couple of defensive target this summer as Belgian international Toby Alderweireld decided to join rivals Tottenham instead [via Guardian Sport] and hopes of luring Real Madrid star Raphael Varane to Stamford Bridge appear unlikely despite a reported £35.8 million bid back in May [via Metro Sport].

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Chelsea face London rivals Arsenal in the Community Shield showdown at Wembley on Sunday before kicking off the defence of their Premier League title at home to Swansea City on August 8.

More Stories John Stones John Terry Raphael Varane Toby Alderweireld