Chelsea will have to pay £34m for John Stones after Everton reject second bid

EVERTON have rejected a second offer of £26million from Chelsea for defender John Stones.

John Stones - Spotlight on

The Blues tabled their second offer following the Toffees refusal to do business last week, but will now have to stump up around £34m to seal their man.

Chelsea's opening offer of £20m was rejected straight away, and when they returned with a £26m bid today they were given the same answer.

Jose Mourinho has identified Stones as his number one summer target as part of his plans to eventually replace John Terry.

The 34-year-old skipper has a year on his current deal and has signed one-year contracts at the end of the past two seasons.

Stones' progress at Everton has seen him win four England caps having signed from Barnsley in 2013.

Chelsea transfer newsGETTY

Chelsea want to snap up John Stones

Manchester United and Manchester City were also thought to be interested in the 21-year-old but it is understood that Stones is keen to play under Mourinho.

The Chelsea boss spoke publicly about his interest during Chelsea's pre-season tour of the US.

“We made a bid, we can make it – it’s an open market until 1 September," Mourinho said. 

"At the moment they say we don’t accept this bid – they don’t say: ‘We don’t accept bids; any bids’.

“While they say we don’t accept this bid, until 1 September we can improve the bid, one pound more, 10 pounds more we can improve the bid. 

"If one day [Everton manager] Roberto Martinez or the chairman come and say he’s not for sale, we don’t accept any bid, it’s game over.  

"So during this process, it’s clear, we don’t deny we made a bid for Stones. We are trying to buy.”

The Blues are now currently considering a third bid.

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