Chelsea left fuming after they were told £34m bid would seal John Stones move

Posted Sunday, August 30, 2015 by Express.co.uk

CHELSEA are fuming after claims that Everton suddenly changed their mind over a £34 million deal for England defender John Stones.

Sunday Express Sport can reveal that after knocking back three bids - the last one being £30 million – Chelsea were told that one of £34 million would seal the move.

And to prepare for that eventuality Everton contacted Barnsley promising to pay the Yorkshire club £2.5 million if they agreed to forfeit the 15 per cent add on clause agreed when the player moved to Merseyside for £3million.

That would be paid irrespective of any transfer going through. Barnsley refused, prepared to take their chance with any future move.

But last week when the agreed fee was met by Chelsea, Everton announced that the 21-year-old was staying at Goodison Park.

That infuriated Chelsea who unless there is another change of mood by Everton will look elsewhere before the transfer window slams shut at tea-time on Tuesday.

Relations between the two clubs were already strained over winger Christian Atsu’s loan move from Stamford Bridge to Everton last season.

In Demand: Chelsea target John Stones

The Ghana winger who has now joined Bournemouth on a similar deal only played five games for Everton during the whole season, a situation which annoyed Chelsea who only agreed to the move so that he could gain valuable Premier League experience.

Now Everton have an unhappy player on their hands, Stones officially asking to leave last week after telling manager Roberto Martinez back in May that he was ambitious and would consider moving to a top club.

For the past week Stones has moved out of his home to live in a hotel after being targeted by angry Everton fans.

If he is forced to stay beyond the closing of the window Everton will try to placate him with the offer of a big increase in wages – something at the moment Stones is unlikely to agree to.