Chelsea are preparing to smash a Premier League record for Everton defender John Stone
Chelsea board reacted to Sunday’s chastening 3-0 defeat to Manchester City – and the half-time substitution of captain John Terry – by submitting the improved offer for the 21-year-old England international yesterday.
It was the third bid from Jose Mourinho’s side with Everton having already rejected bids of £20m and £26m.
The £32m Manchester City paid for Eliaquim Mangala last summer makes him the most expensive defender in Premier League history.
But there is an acceptance at Chelsea they will have to set a new benchmark of nearer £40m to test Everton’s resolve which makes yesterday’s offer all the more puzzling.
