Reports: Everton reject another Stones bid from Chelsea

, 29 July, 150comments  |  Jump to most recent
"Sky sources" claim that Chelsea have made another official offer of £25m for John Stones and that Everton have rebuffed it.

If true, this second bid would still fall well below Everton's valuation of the player and the £34m - £38m figure that the media seem to have agreed between themselves would seal the deal.

Some of the national media are suggesting the Londoners' new offer is £26m, however.

Roberto Martinez was adamant earlier this month that the 21-year-old is not going anywhere and that has been reflected in a later tweet from Sky whose sources report that Everton have twice told Chelsea that Stones is not for sale.

Quotes or other material sourced from Sky Sports



Reader Comments (150)

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Mark Riding
1 Posted 29/07/2015 at 17:02:07
Second Stones bid rejected.
Brent Stephens
2 Posted 29/07/2015 at 17:08:48
£25m apparently.
Mark Riding
3 Posted 29/07/2015 at 17:14:07
£25m is clearly designed to unsettle the player. He will go if they bid £30m or over.
Gavin Johnson
4 Posted 29/07/2015 at 17:22:46
London Standard reckon they will offer £30m + add-ons. We want £34m apparantly. If there's a compromise and they pay £30m with add-ons that figure should be approaching a further £8-10m IMO.
Jon Withey
5 Posted 29/07/2015 at 17:24:57
Money aside, that would properly shaft our defence.
Dave Williams
6 Posted 29/07/2015 at 17:42:26
Take £25m plus Remy, spend it on a CB and No 10.

I see Diego Costa has a hamstring injury so presumably the Chelsea medics/trainers are crape too?

Far too much over-reaction at this point -- relax and give the squad a chance before going in hard on them!

Gavin Johnson
8 Posted 29/07/2015 at 17:57:12
Shoot site reckons it was 28M offer.
Gavin Johnson
9 Posted 29/07/2015 at 18:00:03
Apologies it was Goal, which was interestingly the site that broke details of the Rom transfer last season.
Bill Farmer
11 Posted 29/07/2015 at 18:10:16
This story has dominated the close season. I guess that if the lad wants it, he will go for c£34M as forecast.

I don't think the club has done much wrong in how they have handled the situation although the longer the uncertainty goes on the more difficult it will be to sign a decent replacement.

Most Evertonians I speak to are not enamoured of the Evans answer to the problem !

Andy Peers
12 Posted 29/07/2015 at 18:26:01
I would think that Stones, Lukaku and McCarthy will be here this season, or at least till January. Almost guaranteed they won’t be here at the start of the 2016-17 season unless we start acting like a club that wants to win things. The upside to selling them in 2016 is that we will probably get over £100 million for them.
Tony Draper
13 Posted 29/07/2015 at 18:37:09
Bill @3

Completely agree with the last two points.

However, regarding the club's actual valuation, well they have said that Stones is not for sale. And as I said on the original thread regarding CFC’s pursuit, I would just love for us to just send them another copy of the original letter with no further comment as our response .

Colin Glassar
14 Posted 29/07/2015 at 18:42:21
Exactly Andy. Why sell now as we all know after another good season John will be worth at least £50m. Chelsea know this and so do we. They want him now, on the cheap!!
Rob Halligan
15 Posted 29/07/2015 at 18:45:50
Breaking News. Officials at Everton inform Chelsea Stones not for sale.what did Maureen say, when Everton say the player is not for sale, we won't bid again. Fuck off mourinho!!
Christian Hoff
16 Posted 29/07/2015 at 18:48:14
Sell for £36m and bring in both Dragovic and Van Dijk. Maybe some money left to buy a striker too?
Ross Edwards
17 Posted 29/07/2015 at 18:49:42
As I said a few days ago on Twitter, this is the money clubs’ only opportunity to get him cheaply as Colin rightly says. If he has a strong season for us, gets a place in the England side for the Euros and has a good tournament you’re looking at a valuation of well over £40m.

I’m surprised that the Manchester clubs haven’t got involved yet. Especially City. Perfect target for them as he’s an improvement on Demichelis and what’s his name, plus he’s English and fills their home grown quota.

This is going to drag on until deadline day.

Colin Glassar
18 Posted 29/07/2015 at 18:50:00
He'll be back Rob like a bad smell. He has no ethics or morals he just thinks that his dirty money can buy whoever and whatever he wants. Expect a transfer deadline day bid of £32m.
Craig McFarlane
20 Posted 29/07/2015 at 19:06:21
Rob - This is the "Chelsea have spent less than Arsenal, go and get a calculator" Maureen... he talks shite, of course they’ll be back in for him!
John Raftery
21 Posted 29/07/2015 at 19:07:27
£26m. Insulting and derisory.
Sam Morrison
22 Posted 29/07/2015 at 19:09:27
He was an interesting and refreshing guy when he first came. But I've never liked him since he lied about the response times of the ambulances at Reading after the Cech head injury. And the more I see of him these days the less enamoured I am. Some people thrive on being disliked though I guess.
Bill Farmer
23 Posted 29/07/2015 at 19:10:49
And I think it probably can, Colin. This is football we're talking about !

It will be interesting to see what progress is made towards signing a central defender in the next three weeks. The higher the quality of the signing the more likely Stones is on his way.

Andy Crooks
24 Posted 29/07/2015 at 19:12:00
BK should issue a statement that Stones is not for sale and that further contact on the issue will sour the relationship of the clubs.
Shane Corcoran
26 Posted 29/07/2015 at 19:23:00
Mourinho is unsavoury but I don't see what he or they have done wrong here relative to every other club.

They increased their bid to test the water.

Everton need to take a leaf out of their near neighbours and reject it regardless if that's their position, regardless of what Stones might want.

Oliver Molloy
27 Posted 29/07/2015 at 19:24:45
Dirty money Colin, you are having a laugh obviously!
Jon Cox
28 Posted 29/07/2015 at 19:28:00
Mourinheeho?

As a female gangsters moll in a film called "The Business" once said, "He’s naffink bat a cardboard cutout cunt."

Couldn’t agree more.

Jon Cox
29 Posted 29/07/2015 at 19:34:27
Andy, good shout.

Don’t know much about Twitter but wouldn’t BK have an account.

Would someone in the know be able to Twitter him and ask these pertinent questions.

Geoffrey Feeney
30 Posted 29/07/2015 at 19:40:06
I don't know much about Twitter myself. Any chance someone could send Greg O'Keefe or Dave Prentice a message asking, do they know why we have spent the least money out of the Premier League clubs during this transfer window?
Brian Williams
31 Posted 29/07/2015 at 19:51:41
Have the club said that he’s not for sale? If so I have even more confidence the lad’ll stay and I have/had a feeling he would anyway.

It’s not just about letting one player go or not it’s a statement of intent which can have far reaching effects.

Other than saying he’s not for sale say "he is for sale and the price is £60 million pound, non negotiable. If someone wants to pay that I would let him go IF the full amount could be spent on players. £10 million could probably get Van Diijk who would be a perfect replacement.

I would spend £15-20 million on a number 10 and £15 million on each of two further players. So to let one go and get four "quality" players in would, I believe, be a good move. On the other hand I’d love to just tell the "Special needs" one to fuck right off!

Gavin Johnson
32 Posted 29/07/2015 at 20:00:10
Some Nigerian site reckons we want £30m and Moses. Now if we got Remy and £30m. I’d be reasonably happy. I say ’reasonably’ because although I want him to stay.

I wouldn’t want an unhappy player if he’s got his heart set on going, and Remy is the kind of quality that can push and compliment Rom.

Graham Mockford
33 Posted 29/07/2015 at 20:01:06
I suspect we are just negotiating here. If we had told Chelsea he is not for sale, why would they make another offer?

They really want him; in the end, if he does become the best centre half in England, and I’m sure he will, he will leave anyway. It all comes down to what the player wants. If he is minded to move, it is a tough thing to stop that happening.

£35m now could really strengthen our squad. I say this through gritted teeth because he is the best young player I have seen in 40 years and that includes Rooney.

John Malone
35 Posted 29/07/2015 at 20:13:29
I'd only let him go if it is £30 million plus Moses or Remy. I really rate Remy but I don't think they would want to lose him and I doubt he would want to leave London and come to us. On the other hand I could definitely see Moses fancying pairing up with his old manager and getting some regular game time!
Mark Tanton
36 Posted 29/07/2015 at 20:17:57
The bottom line is we're moving painfully slow in the transfer market, former loanee and free transfer aside, so might the club need Stones money for any exciting signings? Kenwright would vigorously deny this, but it's worth thinking about. We might have to sell Stones to move for anyone else. Scandalous in this era of money, but how very Evertonian it would be.
Gavin Johnson
38 Posted 29/07/2015 at 20:23:34
John - I agree, I think the chances of us getting Remy are slim. I guess Moses would sweeten the deal as long as we got 30m+. If true, I think it would mean the end of us trying to bring Lennon back. I'm not sure who'd have out of those two. I think Lennon would probably edge it because he was a good fit for us.
Jon Ferguson
39 Posted 29/07/2015 at 20:25:52
I hope we stick to our guns with Stones. As others have said, the top end of the market is going crazy. A couple of good seasons and he’s suddenly worth £70-80m.


If we do sell him, I wouldn’t want to see Moses as part of the deal. We need to be aiming higher than Moses.

Michael Spear
40 Posted 29/07/2015 at 20:26:05
Jon @7. I don't know much about twitter either, as I've never had an account. But as I'm only a year younger than BK I wouldn't be at all surprised if he hasn't got one either. I do know you don't need an account to read most of the garbage that appears there.

This business is between EFC (and that includes John Stones of course) and CFC. And, again according to the wonderful Sky sources, Everton have now told Chelsea twice that there's no business to be done. You don't need to say it in 140 characters; just 8 will do, starting and ending with an f.

Ian McDowell
41 Posted 29/07/2015 at 20:30:31
Moses and Begovic anyone? I'm hoping we keep Stones but if we do lose lets get some decent money and a top player.
Tom Bowers
42 Posted 29/07/2015 at 20:31:14
You would think that Chelski would be satisfied with what they have but no, they keep chipping away determined to lure our best young player.

They are just plain greedy and yes I know it’s business, so the big money talks and even if they don’t up the ante, I am sure it will affect the form of Stones for a while now his head has been turned.

If this deal happens now it will scupper what chance Everton had of a decent start to the season as Everton would have to scramble for a replacement.

Daniel Lawrence
43 Posted 29/07/2015 at 20:34:57
Lowest spenders in the league, what's surprise.
Keep on clapping.....
John Malone
44 Posted 29/07/2015 at 20:44:57
Gavin (#23),

I’m thinking more of Moses as a second striker or a left winger. I think Lennon is nailed on coming to us; he’s training with the reserves, and I’m sure he stated he would wait right until the last minute to join us.


Scott Hall
45 Posted 29/07/2015 at 20:49:51
The club should announce an official bid of £7.5m for Eden Hazard issued via press release to all media outlets. Be completely serious and offer Martinez's availability for press interviews so he can talk about Hazard's versatility, how suitable he would be as our new number 10, and how Chelsea have not made it clear whether he is available or not. Maybe then the arrogant pricks will get the point...
Stu Smith
46 Posted 29/07/2015 at 20:50:15
This could be a time for RM to take a pop at Jose. It might be petty but that's just the way I role!!
Bob Hannigan
47 Posted 29/07/2015 at 20:59:17
Jose, if you want John Stones then pay stupid money, let’s start to talk at £150 million. Yes, I repeat stupid money. Otherwise, go fuck off.
Chris Owens
48 Posted 29/07/2015 at 21:03:04
Let's offer to sell John Stones to Chelsea for £34m, but with a buyback clause of £8m next summer. That way, he'll get the experience of playing in the Champions League for when he needs it with us.
Jon Cox
49 Posted 29/07/2015 at 21:05:49
Michael (24),

Thanks for the reply mate but I think you’ll find that Foreign Office has 13 characters and doesn’t end in "F" :-)

Furthermore I think that everyone at precisely 22:00 BST should shout as loud as possible "Fuck Off, Mourinwhohe"

Chris Gould
50 Posted 29/07/2015 at 21:12:25
I've convinced myself that RM has a long term plan, which involves keeping all of our youngsters and nurturing them into top 4 challengers. Stones is integral to this.

If we sell him, then the vision I believe he has sold to the rest of the team will be destroyed. Stones can't be sold for any price or others may then become disillusioned and follow suit.

I'm still convinced that we won't sell.


Chris Wilson
51 Posted 29/07/2015 at 21:18:59
Ha! Offering a buyback clause would be hilarious, Chris Owens.

For me, my perfect mythical scenario would be for Roberto to address the question at a press conference;

Reporter: "Roberto, how much money will it take for you to sell John Stones to Chelsea?"

Roberto: "Well I have to say it would take a magnificent amount of money to sell John Stones, but it doesn't necessarily have to be money-we could sell him using other methods. For example, I was thinking the other day how wonderful it would be for Everton Football Club to have a magnificent, brand new, state-of-the-art, 55,000 seat stadium."

Oh to dream.

Dave Pritchard
52 Posted 29/07/2015 at 21:26:10
Ian (25) Begovic only signed for Chelsea a couple of weeks ago.
Ian McDowell
53 Posted 29/07/2015 at 21:28:03
Dave so what? Unsworth joined Villa then us a few weeks later. It happens all the time. Begovic won't get a game there but is a top keeper so becomes a massive bargaining tool.
Andy Meighan
54 Posted 29/07/2015 at 21:34:47
Look, as good a player Stones is, and I personally think he’s quality or most certainly going to be quality, it’s not as if he can’t be replaced, is it? I mean we are not losing a 25-goal-a-season striker or a creative midfielder who puts them on a plate, is it?

The fact is, I can’t remember too many times last season when young Stones prevented us conceding too many silly goals from crosses or set pieces. Witness the new Redshite centre forward at Villa Park in May and the havoc he caused that day...

Now I know you obviously attack as a team and defend as a team but my own personal opinion is Stones is replaceable... but, and I emphasise 'but', at the right price...

So, shall we say £32M? That seems to be the going rate for young English talent, doesn’t it

I think honestly it would be folly to keep him because (and I have heard this off a good source) his head's been turned so he’s obviously not going to be all there at the start of the campaign is he, à la Lescott.

Just as well we're not playing Arsenal 1st game... I think, if we get the right money, as stated above, let him go... but I think we all wish it’ll be done sooner rather than later for obvious reasons.

Tony Abrahams
55 Posted 29/07/2015 at 21:34:59
With Man Utd now asking to be kept informed, Mourinho’s plan to get Stones might have just back-fired.

I don’t want him to go, but a bidding war would suit Everton, if they have any intentions of selling.

Adam Luszniak
56 Posted 29/07/2015 at 21:36:46
Agree with posters above that if he’s not for sale, the club should tell Chelsea so. Mourinho has said himself that no one has told him Stones is categorically not for sale. Apparently EFC sent that small London based club a letter explaining our position after their initial bid. What the contents of that letter where we shall never know but whatever it was, it wasn’t enough to put Chelsea off.

Ultimately, this is down to EFC. If we have the resolve to hold on to him, there’s nothing any other party can do to change that. He’s in contract, and unless that contract contains a release clause, we can dictate if he stays and if he goes. In my opinion we should shut up shop. He is a top class 21-year-old English centre back. We simply cannot keep him long enough.

Gavin Johnson
57 Posted 29/07/2015 at 21:45:58
Sign Dragovic, keep Stones, and let's go with a a 3-5-2 next season.

If we have no more outgoings, whatever ample funds we have have left needs to go on a quality centre-forward for me. Cleverley and Barkley can fight it out for the No 10 role.

Dave Pritchard
58 Posted 29/07/2015 at 21:46:28
OK Ian. Like all things in football anything can happen. Still think this one won't but I do rate Begovic.
Ian McDowell
59 Posted 29/07/2015 at 21:51:52
Dave, personally I don’t think that it will happen but, should the discussions get to that stage, then posing the question is worth while.
James Flynn
60 Posted 29/07/2015 at 21:52:43
Have to think the negotiations are for real. Notice even Jose has shut his trap about it.

Perhaps the hold-up isn't the price, but that our owners want the bulk, if not all, of the transfer fee up front. Abramovich can OK that expenditure; that he can and would will have an effect on the pricing. Roberto is sure going to need all the money he can get.

And not just for replacing Stones.

Kone, Gibson, Pienaar, Hibbert, and Ossie are in the final year of contract. When fit, all are picked for the squad. Roberto has to think of their replacements, too. Where the funding?

Add, this time next year Barry and Mirallas are in the last year of contract. At his age and wage, we're stuck with Barry. No getting around it.

Mirallas is 28 this year. We have to re-do his contract or sell him now or January. Roberto will need that money, too.

It's about John Stones here, yes. But a lot is riding on his sale or staying. Not just "John Stones was sold to Chelsea."

Paul Jeronovich
61 Posted 29/07/2015 at 21:52:43
£25mil, fuck off. After next years Euros, Stones will be worth £40mil. Hold firm Everton, don’t give in to Chelsea.
Gavin Johnson
62 Posted 29/07/2015 at 21:55:39
Now Ramos has signed his new deal with Real Madrid, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if United make serious moves to land Stones. If BK has a figure in mind and the ’not for sale’ noises are just a front. I think Mourinho is going to end up looking a tit. Rate him or not, United can also offer Jonny Evans, added to a fee anywhere between £30-35m, and I think we’ll sell.

As much as I hate United, I’d actually prefer Stones to there just to put Mourinho in his place.

Colin Glassar
63 Posted 29/07/2015 at 21:57:52
I’d like Roberto to come out and say, "We would only ever allow a player like John Stones to move to a BIG club like Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern Munich. No one else need bother". That would put the ’special one’ in his place.

No, he is not doing anything wrong but his whole attitude, and demeanour, towards everyone else stinks the place out. He epitomises everything that is wrong in the game, ie, greed, greed and more greed.

Ian McDowell
64 Posted 29/07/2015 at 21:59:30
I'd sooner sell to Man Utd than Chelski and that twat Mourinho.
Ian McDowell
65 Posted 29/07/2015 at 22:01:18
I like it Colin. Lets get personal with Mourinho and he will rise to it.
Colin Glassar
67 Posted 29/07/2015 at 22:10:09
I used to like Mourinho, Ian, but his antics at Madrid (poking Tito in the eye), his pettiness, arrogance and boorish behaviour have become tiresome now. But hey, the media adore him and if Jose wants a player they are going to do their best to help him get his man.

Now I have to laugh at each outlandish claim being made in the press and social media. I’ve just seen one which says, ’Everton demand a whopping £32m for Stones’. Whopping? Whopping? Ffs, Sterling went for £50m that’s almost whopping. £32m is small change as far as the Russians are concerned. Double that and we might, just might, consider it.

Chris Wilson
68 Posted 29/07/2015 at 22:27:23
I totally agree with what you’re saying, Adam Luszniak. The problem is that for clubs like Chelsea, Man U, City, etc, they don’t accept "No"; there is no such thing as "No." For them, "No" means, "No at £26 million."

Jose has said it himself; Everton sent a letter to Chelsea stating (supposedly clearly) that we are not interested in selling John Stones, but Jose says that he felt that didn’t mean he couldn’t submit bids because, as he claims, everyone is for sale - it’s the transfer window, what is he supposed to do?!?

In his mind, there is no "not for sale", it’s just a "small" club trying to jack up the price and fleece poor Chelsea. What a POS - Oh, man, how much for one free punch, Jose? If we sell him, that should be in the contract -- £50 million and one free punch to Jose Mourinho’s face... live at a press conference.

Edward Wallis
69 Posted 29/07/2015 at 22:30:44
Lets just make this Dragovic signing happen!!! Everybody is signing players and we are standing still. The Stones situation will sort itself out... hopefully he will stay. But we cant sit on our hands and react, we still need competition and strengthening irrespective.

The last 18 months is draining the optimism out of me. EFC was my passion now getting to stage of not wanting to bother to press a button on Sky Sports controller to see us on the Box... It's inevitable it's going to end in tears. Oh for an Andy Gray type signing.

Robin Cannon
70 Posted 29/07/2015 at 22:40:02
The Guardian had this right in their preview of our season, when they said our written response to Chelsea should just read; "You got £50million for David Luiz".
Dick Fearon
71 Posted 29/07/2015 at 22:40:22
BK has previous form on this kind of transfer wrangle. If he says we would not accept less than £50 mil for Stones the lad will be out the door for half that.

One way or another it must be done by this Saturday and the same applies to McCarthy or any other looking for a rat hole.

Andrew Presly
72 Posted 29/07/2015 at 22:40:48
James Chester from relegated Hull just went to WBA for £8M. That makes John Stones worth £400M.

Bid 750k for Courtois and I’d like to see a double swoop to try and secure their physio. If they don’t respond positively, I want Roberto literally weeping about the unfairness of it all by noon tomorrow.

Keith Monaghan
73 Posted 29/07/2015 at 23:00:48
Let’s get real, we don’t know what’s going on. Why not just believe what our club have said -- they’ve told Chelsea he’s not for sale, so why say any more.

And why on earth does any Evertonian want Moses here? He’s failed everywhere with the possible exception of Wigan and is no better than anyone we have, and worse than some.

Why on earth does anyone prefer JS to go to ManUre rather than Chelski? The were publicly tapping up players years before Chelski or Citeh got in the money, and had the most arrogant manager our top league has ever seen.

Oliver Molloy
74 Posted 29/07/2015 at 23:03:33
And now Man City have asked to kept informed if any bid is accepted for Stones.

What part of NOT FOR SALE do all these guys not understand, Bill?

Gavin Johnson
75 Posted 29/07/2015 at 23:06:14
Keith - Moses has had a really good season at Stoke and I’ve got a couple of mates who are Potters and they’re desperate for Stoke to sign him.

Personally, if he deal goes through (which I hope it doesn’t and we only see a couple of incoming signings) then we should squeeze every penny out of Chelsea and if we get a player into the bargain then all the better.

Alastair Donaldson
76 Posted 29/07/2015 at 23:08:12
Ha ha Chris 50, brilliant!

In some ways I want this over soon asap....the window's open for another bloomin month of this nonsense... we just need Man City to come in now for a 4 way bidding session!

On the other hand SURELY management has the foresight and resolve to shoot this down...and really build for the next 5+ years.

Stones value mustn't be under estimated. I can only recall 3 or 4 British defenders in the last 30 years of being a fan that play like he does. Moore, Hansen & maybe Mark Wright. Yes the defending & decision making will improve, but bringing the ball out / confidence .....priceless.

IMHO!

Peter McHugh
77 Posted 29/07/2015 at 23:12:46
I don’t want Stones to go and don’t think he will. A transfer fee of up to £38M is crazy. He’s worth far more minimum £50M and I think his price will rocket after the Euros next year.

If Chelsea or Man Utd want to sign Ramos he would be on £260k per week. A top defender and far better than Stones at the moment. But he must be 30 and has nothing like Stones potential. John Terry is a legend for Chelsea and Stones for whoever he plays for will be a legend.

A conservative estimate is that over 3 years Stones wage bill compared to Ramos would save you £30M. So Chelsea paying that fee is akin to a free transfer -- would be unbelievable business for them.

Also, Stones is class both on and off the pitch. His marketing potential (unlike Terry who is a thug) is unbelievable. If he leaves us he will be at his next club for life as he is English and will be happy challenging for the league in this country. People pay £5M plus for season long loan of average players. This guy will give his next club 10 years of service without a moments trouble.

I have no interest in selling Stones and I don’t think our manager does which is great great news.

Keith Monaghan
78 Posted 29/07/2015 at 23:13:44
Gavin, I can’t make worthwhile comment on how good he was at Stoke, but I am certain he’s another head-down individualist and not a team player.

Whatever the outcome with JS, and I’m desperate for him to stay for many years, our biggest need is for a creative team player who can make killer passes for his team-mates.

Rick Pattinson
79 Posted 29/07/2015 at 23:14:57
£34 million for Stonesy or do one Chelsea. While we are there, offload McCarthy, Mirallas and Lukaku somewhere. Get at least £100 million and rebuild with players who want to put on the shirt.

When the fuck did our players stop wanting to play for our great club? With aging players near retirement and our hamstring happy manager too. Secretly we are in a mess.

Andy Walker
80 Posted 29/07/2015 at 23:18:34
We need to agree a fee and sell him quick. They will get their man in the end but if we leave it too long we won't have time to get a replacement in. £26m for an unproven defender is a good offer, we could probably do a deal near £30m. Take the money and spend wisely, mind you that's where the problems start. Would you want Bob the Manager to spend £26m?
Dave Lynch
81 Posted 29/07/2015 at 23:29:24
I do Rick.

In a lot bigger mess than the start of last season and we all know how that went...

James Flynn
82 Posted 29/07/2015 at 23:34:06
The Club is correct in keeping silent.
Gavin Johnson
83 Posted 29/07/2015 at 23:40:09
Andy Walker - "£26m for an unproven defender is a good offer" Are you sure you're not on the Chelsea payroll?

Stones is proven! He had better statistics for clearances and tackles than Terry and Cahill last season. He's already an England international, who can play in two positions. He's the best English CB to emerge since John Terry and Rio Ferdinand. The latter cost nearly £30m about 14 years ago. In times when David Luiz costs £50m and James Chester commands an £8M fee. A £26m offer is an absolute joke. They'll be getting a bargain at £34m if we decide to sell.

Tony Doran
84 Posted 29/07/2015 at 23:41:44
This Chelsea manager sums up all what is bad about the Premier League. I don’t like saying I hate anybody as it has such negative vibes, but the fella is a snide, a liar a bad loser and an attention-seeking lowlife.

But Sky still suck up to him which says it all about Sky. Truth is I would love the football bubble to burst and go back to the 70s and 80s.
Drew Shortis
85 Posted 29/07/2015 at 23:45:56
This is all mind games. Chelsea know full well £20-26m will not get him. Their aim is clearly to unsettle the player so that when they bid around the £30-34m mark on deadline day we will be forced to take the money and bring in a hurried replacement or have to deal with a disgruntled player and an unsettled dressing room.

However, this tactic doesn’t appear to be bearing any fruit as yet. We have stood firm and dismissed the bids with the disdain they merit and John Stones has not been talking to the media (unlike Sterling). It just might be that John has a sensible head on his shoulders and can see that right now the best place to be is at Everton, with a guaranteed first team place and the Euro’s coming up.

Perhaps next summer will be a different story, but by then he should be worth a lot more and more teams will be interested in him so we can demand the kind of fee his potential warrants. I think it would be naive to expect us to keep hold of possibly the best young English centre back of his generation if we are not playing in the Champions League, but it is not unreasonable to expect him to bide his time and enjoy developing in a team where he is valued and trusted. If we manage to sneak a CL place this season then the whole outlook could change. Got to be optimistic!

Eugene Ruane
86 Posted 29/07/2015 at 23:46:55
Andy Walker (61) glad you didn't write Rocky.

Micky: "Imagine it Rock, you've a chance to fight Apollo Creed, a chance to be heavyweight champion of the world"

Rocky: "Fuck that he'll kill me, I'll stick to the debt collecting"

The end.

Jim Hardin
87 Posted 29/07/2015 at 23:53:57
Following up on Colin's comment, wouldn't it be even better if RM says he would only sell to a big club like Real Madrid because he admires Rafa? Wouldn't that stick it to Jose a little given his dislike of Rafa?

As for Moses, he is best on the right wing. Not sure where the not a team player comes from as he seems to be spoken of highly by his former teammates. As for passing, don't forget it wasn't until Rafa stuck Moses in at the right forward spot that Torres began to look a little like his old self and started scoring for Chelsea. Moses was feeding cross after cross into him when Chelsea won the Europa League. I think Moses has felt a lot betrayed by Chelsea in only getting preseason runouts for future loan or resale value but no time with the senior squad.

I advocated getting Sinclair who is a left -sided player. Moses is really more effective from the right side and we seem to already have a few players for that spot.

Keith Monaghan
88 Posted 29/07/2015 at 23:55:56
Andy Walker - you're off your trolly - ManUre paid £30M for dopey Rio 10+ years ago, Chelski got £50M for Luiz and you'd take £26M for JS?!!!
James Flynn
89 Posted 29/07/2015 at 00:00:12
Please stop with any version of "Set an enormous price and tell Chelsea to take it or leave it." It would be an act of open insanity for our Club to state a fee and add, "or nothing".

Things aren't bad enough. Let's HELP Chelsea unsettle Stones.


Gareth Fieldstead
90 Posted 29/07/2015 at 00:03:43
No different to us expecting to get Pat Nevin on the cheap and we were so condescending towards Chelsea, being the bigger club. They are doing nothing wrong, no different to us with Barnsley. It’s getting tiresome, all this "put Chelsea in their place". Premier league winners and recently Champions League being paraded too.

They are one of the top sides in Europe, much bigger than us. They have to match what we want for the lad and he is gone. Heaven forbid, treble his salary and playing against the top sides in Europe. We will remain also-rans whilst we have this board.
Andy Crooks
91 Posted 29/07/2015 at 00:09:14
I just do not think that we will have an unhappy player if we keep John Stones. He seems happy at our club and I am convinced he will be sold, only if Kenwright wills it. At least one more season at Everton would be good for him and the club.

Keeping him would be a statement of our intention to develop and challenge. Selling him for anything less than an insane amount, and by that I mean Gareth Bale insane, would see a white flag hoisted over Goodison Park and indicate our happiness to merely inhabit the same league as the likes of the appalling Chelsea FC.

Colin Glassar
92 Posted 30/07/2015 at 00:28:49
Not going to comment any further on this non-story but, Andy Walker are you for real?
Simon Smith
93 Posted 30/07/2015 at 00:32:38
My first ever post on here.

I’ve been reading all the comments on threads for a while! Some very knowledgeable people on here! Also a lot of pessimistic people as far as Everton is concerned ..... Me included!! Is that an Everton thing?

Has Stones said anything about the issue? Does silence speak volumes??? Or am I, for once, optimistic?
James Flynn
94 Posted 30/07/2015 at 00:41:58
Another thing. Why would staying at Everton another season be better than accepting a massive wage increase and playing for a defend-first manager who wants him in to play at the top of the league and in the CL?

The only question if Stones goes to Chelsea is how many games Cahill has left as a starter.

Let's just set a high price and insist the money is up front. We need cash to spend.

Ross Edwards
95 Posted 30/07/2015 at 00:44:05
Clearly Jose Mourinho himself has written Andy Walker's comment... Dear oh dear.
Gavin Johnson
96 Posted 30/07/2015 at 00:55:05
Simon - Yes, I think it's an Everton thing mate.
Chris Wilson
97 Posted 30/07/2015 at 00:57:53
Pessimism, Simon Smith? Ha!! Welcome to ToffeeWeb where there does seem to be a case of Pessimitus. Just wash your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds with soap and hot water after posting; you should be fine.

In all seriousness, there is a lot of intelligence that gets posted on here, and a lot of passion. Sometimes this leads to negativity, and knee-jerk reactions.

Richard Reeves
98 Posted 30/07/2015 at 01:37:04
I would love it if we kept all the players being linked to other clubs... ahem... except McGeady.

How annoying would that be to Mourinho after advising how our manager should deal with the Stones situation to then stay quiet, keep the lad and in the process be sending out a clear message, well we told you but you just didn’t listen, and how daft are some of these so called journalist’s going to look if all the players stayed and then gave interviews claiming they were flattered to be linked to other clubs and have ambitions of playing in the Champions League but are happy to develop at Everton and that they never suggested they wanted to leave. I really hope that is the case and that there is no truth to any of our players wanting to leave and if that is the case then we should let these journalists know how useless they are.

Even a record breaking thirty eight million pounds bid for Stones isn’t enough as far as i’m concerned,at the rate in which players values are going up I also think he could be worth closer to £50 million in a years time.

I could understand if a player's head has been turned and particularly Stones’s but the club hold the cards and if they didn’t want to sell I’m sure he would still give 100% but if the club did sell then it will be because they wanted to cash in. That’s how I see it.

Harold Matthews
99 Posted 30/07/2015 at 01:53:01
Yes Chris, There's certainly plenty of passion.
Eric Myles
100 Posted 30/07/2015 at 02:39:43
James (#43)

"Kone, Gibson, Pienaar, Hibbert, and Ossie are in the final year of contract."

Not a problem, we can give them each a new 3-year deal.

Eric Myles
101 Posted 30/07/2015 at 02:47:27
Andy (#62), we wouldn’t see the £26M if we sell to Chelsea as we still owe them £20M for Lukaku.
Jason Davenport
103 Posted 30/07/2015 at 03:27:20
As Colin predicted, the media frenzy is in full force. Since I am a supreme optimist, I am hoping John Stones, being a sensible and down to earth lad, has decided to stay with us at least another year. Don't ever forget we will never know what is going on in the background. However, I can see RM has a plan to build a dynasty here, and I hope he gets the backing from BK and the board.
Timothy Blanshard
104 Posted 30/07/2015 at 04:07:39
Distin needs to shut his face too, gobbing off to the red tops. "Stones will end up at a big club one day" he tells the Daily Star.
If it wasn’t for that stupid back pass against the shite we may have ended up with another cup to add to one of the Football League’s founding members collection.

Since the foundation of the Football League, a total of 64 teams have played at least one season in the respective top flight of English football. Everton, one of the twelve founding members, is currently playing its 111th season in the top league, having missed only four for two spells in the old Second Division. It is topping the list of most seasons played in the top flight.

Chelski come nowhere near us. You’d think someone who played for us might bother to read our history... I've gone right off him now and I won't be clapping him when he comes to Goodison Park with his mighty Bournemouth.
Brian Porter
105 Posted 30/07/2015 at 05:57:26
I totally agree with Andy Crook (#19). I also wish people would stop saying ’he can go for £35m or whatever’ as that just encourages sharks like Mourinho to believe he IS for sale.

We need BK to simply tell Mourinho he is NOT FOR SALE and then see if Mourinho sticks to his word that he would stop bidding if he was told that. Obviously he doesn’t read emails or he’d know that already, if we’re to believe what our own club has said about the initial bid, so it looks like only a public rebuttal will do for him.

It appears Mourinho is totally lacking in class or business acumen and prefers to conduct business in public, so tell him publicly that Stones is not for sale. I used to respect the man for his achievements but no longer.

He is nothing but slime and I loved the previous comment that we should tell him we’d only sell to a BIG club like Real Madrid or Barcelona. That’s not a bad idea actually as why should we sell to someone who’d use him against us? We might get a decent player swap from one of those two!

Joe Foster
106 Posted 30/07/2015 at 06:47:14
I totaly agree Brian, when Jose is sat at home reading ToffeeWeb and see's comments like "he can go for 35m" he must think "ha ha he is for sale".
Sam Hoare
108 Posted 30/07/2015 at 07:40:01
Happily I think he will be playing in Everton blue this season. Sadly there is no realistic scenario I can see where he’s still playing for us in 3 years time.

So let’s enjoy his time here and get every penny we can for him.

As others have said, if he has another good season and a gets a starting place in that England team then the figures will become astronomical.

So long as the lad's happy, which he seems to be, then let’s hold on and enjoy having the best young CB in Europe.

Bill Griffiths
109 Posted 30/07/2015 at 07:44:12
Personally I don’t think we should sell Stones at any price and also believe ('hope' is probably the better word) that we will not sell, though given Bill’s previous maybe I’m being a bit optimistic on that score.

However if we are to sell we should do so right away after lining up an experienced and proven replacement. It would be a disaster if we were to sell in the last few days of the window without having a decent proven replacement.

Jimmy Digney
110 Posted 30/07/2015 at 07:50:51
What’s the matter with a lot of you? Did we see the team improving when we sold Rooney for £25 mill wasn’t it... then Fellaini goes for £28 mill didn’t he...

The fact is, we don’t improve by selling our best players; what happens is simple: we buy inferior players a lot cheaper than the outgoing players, then somehow the balance goes missing.

This is Everton; we cannot start believing we MUST sell, even with all the biased Southern media selling at least 6 of our best players. It’s the local fans that concern me, accepting we move a good player and buy one, two, even three average players... How come everyone has become bean counters? Enjoy watching very good players at Everton then try getting more good players in to complement what we already have.

Believe me, as I said, Bill Kenwright is sitting on a good wedge.

James Marshall
111 Posted 30/07/2015 at 08:03:37
While we all lose our heads over this, Everton are doing the right thing trying to keep it low key.

Let Chelsea bid. Just keep rejecting them.

End of story.

Phil Sammon
112 Posted 30/07/2015 at 08:07:53
Eric - 90

You’ve made that point dozens of times in the last few weeks.

The Lukaku deal is done - it’s separate.

If we sell Stones to Chelsea or whoever else it will be entirely on our own terms.

That almost sounds like I have faith in the board to do us a good deal... which isn’t the case. I’m just sick of reading the same comment from you every other day.

Keith Monaghan
114 Posted 30/07/2015 at 08:20:03
Well said James (97) - great to see some common sense instead of a lot of the anti-BM/RM rubbish some keep posting on here. We are Evertonians aren't we? Let's support our club and team - COYB!!!
Colin Glassar
115 Posted 30/07/2015 at 08:29:33
Great post, Timothy (#92). I remember Chelsea being a bit of a yoyo club a few years ago and when Man City dropped like a brick down to League Two. Now, because they are filthy rich, they’ve suddenly become ’big clubs’.

Despite being dirt poor, no-one can take away our history or proud heritage which is miles above most teams in the Premier League. Today, for example, I saw Laurent Blanc calling PSG a big club. A few years ago, I watched a mid-table, almost broke, PSG team play Metz in front of about 8,000 bored-stiff fans. Big club, my arse!

I see Darren Lewis, in an attempt to keep his head above the water, is now saying the two Manc teams are interested in Stones. Keep it up, Darren, if you name enough clubs, one day you might get it right.

Kevin Tully
116 Posted 30/07/2015 at 08:37:08
We are currently being outspent by every team in the Premier League, which is obviously a worry in itself with 9 days to go until the big kick-off. One free signing, and a player we have to give back if he proves himself is not good enough for a Championship club, never mind Everton FC.

We need to keep Stones whatever Chelsea offer, and bring in another three as a minimum. If we sell this kid to raise funds so Bill & Co can carry on regardless, then I really do despair. The message is clear, don’t sell our best young players and the board need to make funds available to replace players who have left or are coming to the end of their careers. Otherwise, what is the point of them even being here? We may as well go and donate the club to Mr Venky, because they’ve fucking sold anything else of value.

Eric Myles
117 Posted 30/07/2015 at 08:57:46
Phil #90, well it appears that there are others to whom the message has not sunk in yet, so feel free not to read it next time I post the same thing to someone that has not thought about the obvious intentions of Chelsea.
Nick Page
118 Posted 30/07/2015 at 09:08:26
"We are currently being outspent by every team in the Premier League"

I've been saying this would be the case since the window opened, despite the big boost in TV revenues. I'm not sure why people keep saying it's fine and we’ll do this and that?! It's also highly likely that Stones will be pushed for the right price. And that will leave us three CBs down on last season. That could actually catalyse an exodus as other players see the total and utter lack of ambition of this disgrace of a board.

Questions need to asked, and something needs to be done sooner rather than later. Wake up and smell the fucking coffee some of you. It's not fine and hasn’t been fine for years. Spending £4.5m on a squad that needs players is yet another poke in the eye for the (too) loyal support.

Harold Matthews
119 Posted 30/07/2015 at 09:34:42
I’ve always been one of his biggest critics but I wouldn’t want him to go anywhere. Watching him glide round with the ball in an Everton shirt is a thrill I don’t wish to lose.

Unfortunately, Martinez promised "some early, some very late" which brings in Lennon but I also have the feeling this Chelsea business has been going on for some considerable time. None of it seems quite real. It’s almost as though they are reading from a carefully written script with the final figure already agreed upon. With BK the great impresario involved, anything is possible.

If this is the case, replacements will have already been boxed off. Sitting at the bottom of the spending table at this particular moment would appear to be a deliberate plan. Despite the rumours, I don’t believe we have made a serious move for anyone. According to Martinez, a definite strategy was laid out after discussions in December and January and everthing has gone like clockwork.

Paul Thompson
120 Posted 30/07/2015 at 09:41:29
I love these comments of 'stop saying he can go for £x, it will only encourage Mourinho'.

Morning strategy meeting at Chelsea.

Abramovich: What's our next move on Stones?
Mourihno: What are they saying on ToffeeWeb?
Abramovich: I can't read English, sorry.
Mourihno: Yesterday they were saying sell him at £35m.
Abramovich: Get a fucking bid in then, before Andy Crook gets a counter argument going.

Stones will go, either in the next week, or after the Euros. Remarkably, it won't be because of anything said on this site.

Joe Foster
121 Posted 30/07/2015 at 09:44:41
I agree, Harold, I doubt we have actually shown any serious interest in any of the rumoured players. Any possible panic buys will only come when we sell someone.

The board are either showing no faith in RM or simply do not want to spend any proper money on a player. We could actually go into this season a more weakened team.

Alex Fox
122 Posted 30/07/2015 at 09:56:54
Paul (105) - Brilliant.

Looks like it's in your hands then Andy...

Dave Abrahams
123 Posted 30/07/2015 at 10:36:05
Don’t know if anyone else has mentioned it... Swansea have just put a fee of £25M on Williams, their centre half.

If Everton are selling Stones or don’t want to sell him, tell Chelsea the fee is £60M and mean it.

Dave Abrahams
124 Posted 30/07/2015 at 10:42:23
Fair enough Paul (105) but we might as well write nothing and just wait for things to happen and just accept everything without a word. This site might be dull, it would be a lot duller in your world.
Brian Harrison
125 Posted 30/07/2015 at 10:44:53
Well the clock is ticking and still no sign of the number 10 Martinez said was a priority. You can see the scenario unfolding just days before the window closes, Stones goes to Chelsea after they offer £35 million. Levy looks to exploit our weakness in the transfer market and offers us Lennon plus £13 million for McCarthy.
Mark Tanton
127 Posted 30/07/2015 at 10:58:32
No sign of the six players he was after last summer either!
Gavin Johnson
128 Posted 30/07/2015 at 11:16:50
Cascarino is talking the proverbial on Talkshite today. Saying Chelsea will get their man. It's just like when United pursued Wayne Rooney all them years ago.

Cascarino is a total weapon! He was saying what amounted to -- we should have been grateful for a £20m bid the other week. And now he's saying we will be bullied into selling our player come what may.

I'm sorry but we were nearly bankrupt when we sold Rooney. The scenarios are like night and day. I know some posts are complaining about lack of spends but we bid more money than West Ham for the Juventus reserve so the moneys there for a CB and hopefully a new striker/No.10 too. So I'm going to be positive and say we will see the 2 new players Martinez has talked about on deadline day, and Stones will stay.

Charlie Burnett
130 Posted 30/07/2015 at 11:24:50
Surely we are in control if we are going to sell in the end. Play the three against each other, say okay we will sell him to you for £35 mil but next year so what are you going to offer us to boost our team this year?

Listen to the loan offered to make us choose who he goes too. If it was me, I would use Stones as bait for this Barça friendship; I believe every Evertonian wouldn't mind him at the best club in the world.

Paul Smith
131 Posted 30/07/2015 at 11:30:10
On the subject of Stones, if De Gea can do the offski from Man Utd, then we should get as much as we can for Stones before people find out he’s not as good as he’s been hyped up to be.

Jim Burns
134 Posted 30/07/2015 at 12:43:15
We shouldn’t even be discussing potential fees and valuations -- it gives the oil thieves and their eye-gouging egotistical prick the credibility and exposure they crave.

Disruption and unsettling the young lad is the name of their disgraceful game -- so minimal response should be the order of the day.

So -- from a footballing institution with deep communal roots to a Sky -driven, foreign owned ,marketing project -- which part of ’Fuck Off’ don’t you understand..?

Tony J Williams
135 Posted 30/07/2015 at 12:49:54
Like mentioned above, if I were Martinez, I would wait for the question to come up and laugh and say, "£26m... ha ha ha ha ha, they managed to get 㿞m for Luiz ha ha ha ...next question please!"

I would like to think that Stones will play it smart and stay at least another season.

It is the Euros next year, so he will need to be playing consistently, not just the odd games here and there in Cups and a replacement for the Champions League when Cahill/Terry is injured/banned.

I love the naivety of some on here that believe the majority of what we get for Stones will go for buying replacements.

We will get the usual free/loan deals and Stones (if he goes) will go at 11:59 pm on the end of the window with our board trotting out the old crumpled piece of bullshit paper excuse, saying it was too late to spend the money.

Said money will then disappear into the "other operating costs" black hole again.....

Denis Richardson
136 Posted 30/07/2015 at 12:55:43
Just read that Man City are also interested in young Stones. If true, that’s just taken the price up a notch.
Tony J Williams
137 Posted 30/07/2015 at 13:04:14
Cue Dr Evil impression from Martinez, "Eighty meeeeeeeeelion pounds"
Erik Dols
138 Posted 30/07/2015 at 13:16:39
"Build us a new state of the art stadium, 55k seats with ample corporate facilities, in the docks or between the docks and Goodison. Once finished, you get Stones."

The Emirates should be able to build it in one year, including securing the needed permits...

Eddie Dunn
141 Posted 30/07/2015 at 14:26:06
Gavin 113. I have a radio in my greenhouse tuned-in to Talksport, as I sometimes catch 5 mins of Colin Murray and idiots when watering my toms. The station is always shouting on about the usual teams, with the vomit-inducing professional scouser Micky Quin constantly mentioning "Liverpool Football Club". Why do these dicks have to say the whole name? Perhaps they think that it gives the club some kind of special place in the great compost heap of world football.

I hope we hold on to Stones, as it sends out a signal to all that we mean business. The lad must be affected by the whole thing, but maybe he has been assured that in a year or so, he will get a big move.

Whether he reaches his potential or not, only time will tell, but his silence on the matter is very sensible, as he would be criticised if he encouraged interest, and unpopular if it all fell through. If he goes, I don’t think anyone would be too hard on him.

Hopefully Roberto has told him that a couple more signings are on the way, and we will be going places this season... Let’s hope so!

Stephen Brown
142 Posted 30/07/2015 at 14:30:03
Eddie,

Agree about Talksport! It loves the Sky 5 more than Sky themselves! Get Mike Parry back on there!!!

Raymond Fox
143 Posted 30/07/2015 at 14:38:28
It's alright saying buy a Number 10 and a midfield playmaker. In reality it's not as simple as that, is it. Presumably Martinez knows how much money he can spend, which as we have not sold anyone recently will be ’bugger all’ in today's market.

We're not exactly a big attraction to top class players because they ramble on about wanting to play in Europe all the time! Also all the players now have agents who will spin the process out as much as possible so as to get the best deal for their player. Then they have to agree about the contract, I can imagine the process being a right long-winded pain in the backside!

Bill Gall
144 Posted 30/07/2015 at 14:39:03
The only one who will seem happy about the Stones saga will be BK. He realizes that he has an asset that will continually increase in value and, with all the media hype that is going on, it is disguising the fact that we are doing nothing to bring in cover for our central defense or strikers, never mind someone we have needed for a number of seasons and that is a playmaker. I prefer this explanation rather than a #10.

With about 1 week to go before the start of the season, we have only brought in a younger defensive midfielder on a fee transfer and brought in Deulofeu to replace Lennon. We are constantly reminded that Everton do not have the money that the top 6 have, but surely we should have some funds to strengthen the team, and have it in place before the season starts, and not wait until the last day of the transfer window to see what scraps are available.

Bill Farmer
145 Posted 30/07/2015 at 14:56:50
I'd feel a lot more confident that John Stones was staying put if it wasn't for the presence of Victoe Moses on Chelsea's 'for sale ' rack.

Roberto is a sucker for providing a home for his former players and, no doubt, Mourinho will eventually be adding the Nigerean to that wad of cash he's waving.

With so much uncertainty about the future of McCarthy, Marrillas and possibly Lukaku as well as 'the best young defender in England', these are unsettling times for us all.

I feel for Roberto with no sign of any money being available as yet for team strengthening let alone filling the gaps which may well arise.

Colin Metcalfe
147 Posted 30/07/2015 at 16:50:34
All of us want to see our beloved club back where it belongs competing for league titles/cups and playing with the elite of Europe and as we don’t have a billionaire sugar daddy to spend obscene amounts of money we have to go down the road of a long-term plan; slim chance I know, but what are the alternatives?

I truely believe we have a good crop of youngsters with Stones being the best of that crop or certainly the most potential and so if we do sell him we are nothing more than a feeder club to the sky 5 once again.

I say let’s keep hold of these kids no matter what the cost, now whether RM is the right guy at the helm it remains to be seen; however, if we can get things right on the pitch, it will raise our profile and put us in the shop window and just maybe BK can have his day in the sun and finally hand the reins over to a buyer with hopefully deep pockets.

Our present predicament is frustrating and sometimes depressing that we can’t compete with the so-called big boys and we are effectively being bullied by Chelsea but on this occasion I hope the club stands firm and takes a long-term strategy and states we are no longer a selling club and we intend to keep our outstanding youngsters.

I often read ToffeeWeb and some of the posters are so negative and downright depressing that I sometimes just have to switch off , I am sure most of you would have seen the film Braveheart, there is a scene where William Wallace turns to the Lords of Scotland and says "You are too busy fighting over the scraps beneath Longshanks table you have forgotten your God-given right!!" That's something I would like to scream at our club , BK and his directors and, yes, some of our fans!

Let’s stay positive and hope Stones stays as for Chelsea I hope we give them a roasting reception on September 12!!

James Flynn
149 Posted 30/07/2015 at 16:59:41
It’s a given: we want John Stones to stay. But his staying or going has to do with something larger than his staying or going. We’re a Club staring at another given: a major transition in playing personnel.

Kone, Gibson, Pienaar, Hibbert, and Osman are in the final year of their contracts. When fit, all are picked for the squad. Roberto has to think of their replacements. Where is the funding?

Plus, this time next year Barry and Mirallas will be entering the last year of their contracts. At his age and wage, we’re stuck with Barry. No getting around it.

Mirallas, however, is 28 this year. It’s now or never for a reasonable fee (I want him to stay). The Club has to re-do his contract or sell him this window or next. If he goes, Roberto will need that money, too.

Specifically on Stones, I have to think the negotiations are for real. Notice even Jose and Cahill have shut their traps about it. Perhaps the hold-up isn’t the price, but that our owners want the bulk, if not all, of the transfer fee up front. Abramovich can OK that expenditure; that he can and would will have an effect on the pricing.

Roberto is sure going to need all the money he can get. It’s about John Stones here, yes. But a lot is riding on his sale or staying. Not just "John Stones was sold to Chelsea."

David Israel
150 Posted 30/07/2015 at 17:11:00
I read somewhere today -- can’t remember where -- that Manchester City will probably join the race. I hope Stones doesn’t leave, but if he has to go, at least let him go somewhere other than Chelsea.
Rob Halligan
151 Posted 30/07/2015 at 18:09:17
Chelsea, Man City and Man Utd all in the race to sign Stones. Just one thing, doesn’t a player have to be available for there to be a race?

As Everton have said, Stones is not for sale, then there can’t be a race!!

Just saying, like!!

Andy Crooks
152 Posted 30/07/2015 at 18:13:20
These really should not be unsettling times. We have players under contract who should only be sold if it is for our benefit. My fear is that our bewildered chairman is out of his depth to a degree we cannot begin to comprehend.

Rob Halligan
153 Posted 30/07/2015 at 18:19:07
I think you’re right, Andy. Sunday could be the beginning of the end for Kenwright. Sell Stones before then (unlikely now) and I fear a mass demonstration.

As it is, I think there will be some kind of demonstration anyway. It is getting to the stage where enough is enough.

Robert Workman
155 Posted 30/07/2015 at 19:34:11
If Man Utd are after John Stones, Everton should ask for cash............... plus Wayne Rooney!
Andy Walker
156 Posted 30/07/2015 at 19:52:02
As I said, I think we could do a deal now for £30m. I'd much rather take that money now to give us time to get in the right replacements, than hold out for £35m on deadline day with no time to get in reinforcements, or just make a panic buy.

Seems good sense to me, there’s an opportunity cost for waiting too long to do a deal which no-one seems to realise.

Peter Giles
157 Posted 30/07/2015 at 20:20:28
This young lad is going nowhere. He wants to play every week, not sit watching from the dugout. He has come so far, why would he not want to continue his progress where he is? Not delay his progress by getting the odd game and sitting on the bench getting rusty.
Ian Pilkington
158 Posted 30/07/2015 at 20:43:36
Andy Walker... Good sense to sell Stones now, when, after releasing two central defenders, we would be left with Jags and two inexperienced (if very promising) youngsters? How do you seriously believe we would get a replacement of Stones’s quality able to slot seamlessly into the team with the new season starting in 9 days?

A move to Chelsea now would not only be a huge risk for Stones in his personal development (as Peter Giles has just stated) but would almost certainly put our whole season in jeopardy.

Colin Glassar
159 Posted 30/07/2015 at 20:54:29
What’s the difference between saying NO now and NO on the last day of the transfer window Andy? What part of NO is so difficult to understand?

Or should we just accept offers for all our players and call ourselves Feeder Club FC?

Kieran Fitzgerald
160 Posted 30/07/2015 at 21:01:51
Andy, we probably still owe Chelsea the guts of £20M for Lukaku. Take that, plus Barnsley's cut plus the tax man's cut and there isn't a whole lot of cash left for anything.

We can't afford to sell anyone to Chelsea at present.

Gavin Johnson
161 Posted 30/07/2015 at 21:13:10
A couple of quality additions and no outgoings will be a great transfer window, even though it feels like we are suffering right now with all the speculation. It will be a great message to Mourinho and the London media who think Chelsea have some divine right, to have Stones and pay what they want.

Having slept on it. I’m starting to believe that the board are saying ’No’ because they genuinely have no intention of selling rather than it being some rouse to get Chelsea to keep bidding. I’m not saying, he wont go. But if he does. the bid will far exceed £30M and will be in the region of £40M.

If that was to happen he’d go with my blessing, but if I’m just being optimistic and our board acquiesces to the pressure and we sell for the kind of money some posters are happy to take. We are as Colin says just fulfilling the perception the media have of us -- that being a feeder club! And we certainly shouldn’t be that.

Andy Walker
162 Posted 30/07/2015 at 22:16:01
I take the view that Stones wants to move, I think Chelsea will have established that before they eventually bid £30m+ for him. I don't want players at our club who want to play for another team given half the chance.

Get the deal done quickly for the right price, then get the right replacements in over the next few weeks.

He's a fine young prospect there's no doubt, but if Chelsea know he would move to them and they want him, I can't see him staying, so why not make sure we minimise the damage for once?

Bill Gall
165 Posted 30/07/2015 at 23:44:56
If Stones stays, I will take my hat off to him. How many young men are going to turn down a huge wage increase with a better possibility of obtaining club honors with either the likes of Chelsea, or Man City, than with Everton the way they are run, plus being in a sport that has the chance of being injured, and ending your career every game.

As a supporter, I do not want him to leave, but I am just being selfish in thinking of what he can do playing for Everton, not what is his best for his career.

Make no mistake, Everton are a selling club, and so is every other team in the league it just depends on what you are willing to pay for a player that you want, and if you can afford it.

If Everton do not want to sell Stones, and he has not asked for a transfer, put a £50M price tag on him and see how much the money clubs want him. Both the manager and BK have said "He is not for sale" so it is time to step up to the plate, and show you mean it.

With only a week to go, we can not continue with the turmoil surrounding one of our younger better players.

Oliver Molloy
166 Posted 30/07/2015 at 23:58:52
Andy, it doesn’t matter if Stones wants to move. If we don’t want to sell he will just have to accept our decision.

There is no doubt, given the way Mourinho has gone about this, that, if we do turn down all bids and keep him, even for another season, it will give the club and us fans a lift and teach the special one that sometimes "You can’t always get what you want".

Andy Crooks
167 Posted 31/07/2015 at 00:44:51
Andy Walker, why do you think that John Stones wants to move? Who has told you this? In his last public statement he seemed to quite like playing for Everton.

If Kenwright wants to keep him I believe he can certainly sell Everton to him. For a couple of years John will believe that he is with a club with aspiration, ambition and a long term plan. Then he won't. By then he will be worth quite a bit more than now.

Eric Myles
168 Posted 31/07/2015 at 01:08:51
Kieran (#142), I fully agree, if he’s going to go we should be using Chelsea to start a bidding war including Man Utd and Man City and sell to one of them.
Tony Abrahams
169 Posted 31/07/2015 at 07:30:39
Things look a bit different this morning, with it looking like Stones might leave.

Everton, as a club under Kenwright’s ownership, lead their own fans to a lot of speculation, but if Stones now goes to Chelsea with both Manchester clubs waiting in the wings, maybe Harold in one of his longer posts 109, could be right.

Buy to sell should be our motto under our Number One Fan, I wish he could sell the club just as easily!

Matt Traynor
171 Posted 31/07/2015 at 07:56:44
Dave (#114)

"Fair enough Paul (105) but we might as well write nothing and just wait for things to happen and just accept everything without a word."

Well, we write plenty, but the second half of your statement is equally true, and has been since BK took control of the club.

Andy Walker
172 Posted 31/07/2015 at 20:08:44
Andy 146 because I don't think a club like Chelsea would go through weeks of negotiations to agree a fee and they say, of by the way John do you want to join us. I think they are a little smarter than that.

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