Chelsea transfer boost… Major target demands Blues move

Everton manager Roberto Martinez refused to blame Tim Howard for his side’s defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, the Liverpool Echo reports.

The Daily Express, on Monday night, reported their understanding that Chelsea were set to return with a fourth offer, which would be near the £40 million mark – therefore likely to make the England global the most expensive defensive signing in British history.

Earlier today, Martinez said: “Once more this is always the same question about John Stones and always the same answer”.

“The only thing is the game in front of us. At the minute, we have nothing to announce, but he would fit into that outstanding young talent like Mason Holgate and he’s a player we would love to get a positive outcome on”.

“I know it is your job to keep asking the same question and unfortunately it is my job in this case to always give you the same answer”.

The staff at Everton, including Under-21 boss and former Toffees defender David Unsworth, all deserve great credit for nurturing the club’s youngsters, while Martinez has been unafraid to grant them opportunities in the Premier League. “He’s here, we have to meet over the next 24 hours and see if we can conclude a deal with his club, River Plate”.

He added: “The fact that Ramiro Funes Mori was here was down to the agreement we have with River Plate”.

Everton paid just £3m to sign Stones from Barnsley in the winter transfer window in 2013 and would realise a big profit if they cashed in this summer.

Rodriguez has scored 19 goals in 71 games for the Uruguayan club and Roberto Martinez is excited about the 22-year-old’s potential.

The John Stones transfer saga has been going on far longer than it has any right to, but it’s taken a new and amusing turn.