José Mourinho is confident of persuading Everton to part with John Stones in a move which could make him the most expensive British defender ever.
The Chelsea manager woke up to an assertion from his Everton counterpart, Roberto Martínez, that Stones would not be leaving Goodison Park. Yet the Portuguese has identified the 21-year-old as the ideal successor to John Terry and is confident his pursuit of the England international will not be derailed.
An initial bid of £20m will test the water although Mourinho, keen to progress the transfer through the correct channels, knows the move could eventually exceed Rio Ferdinand’s record £30m transfer to Manchester United in 2002.
Martínez is desperate to keep the centre-half, who made his England breakthrough last season, yet is aware of Chelsea’s financial muscle and the fact that Terry has already publicly praised Stones. The Spaniard is certain to dig his heels in to ensure the best price possible.
Chelsea arrived in North America on Wednesday but do not play their first match until this Wednesday when they fly to New York to face Red Bulls.
Mourinho, however, is keen to get the business done as early as possible and will press on with his plans to ensure Stones will be in place before the new Premier League season, which starts on 8 August when Chelsea take on Swansea City at Stamford Bridge.
