Manchester United transfer news: Huge Thomas Muller offer, John Stones bid

The Mason Holgate saga is finally over as he joins Everton from Barnsley for an undisclosed fee. Stones has not given any indication that he wants a move to Chelsea FC so if he has done so it was behind closed doors.

The Toffees have already rejected two bids from the west London side and it is understood that the Premier League champions will soon be making a third.

This has infuriated his manager at Everton Roberto Martinez, who has blasted Chelsea’s “illegal approaches” toward one of his star players, and repeatedly stating that Stones is not for sale at any price. He only made 22 senior appearances for the Reds last season! Personally Stones has impressed me with his composure, touch and tackling ability, and has plenty of potential to become a world class defender in future.

There has been much talk about whether Stones should move to Chelsea or any big club at this point in his career because it may stunt his growth.

However, Martinez does not expect Holgate to perform “straightway” in the Premier League as “that would be unfair” but he has “incredible potential” and is “one for the future rather than now.”

And I don’t care who you are or how much money you are worth, trying to force your way into Chelsea’s back four is a challenge most would buckle at.

The 18-year-old has been tipped to follow in the footsteps of former Barnsley and current Everton defender John Stones and the Toffees have beaten off interest from other Premier League clubs to sign the defender on a five-year deal. He is a regular starter for a strong team at Everton that has undoubted hopes of pushing for European places this campaign if they get their act together.

Still, if a player has made his mind up that he will leave a club then there is little that will stop him.

Martinez added that the defender’s “development is going to be important” and said that it would be “interesting to see how quickly he can have an impact on the first-team.”

Holgate is just 18 years old but Everton is the sort of club that can take a risk on a young player because their ambitions are usually to at least finish in the top 10 and make a run for one of the domestic cup trophies.