Chelsea are set to face significant competition from Manchester United this summer in the race to sign John Stones, as the Red Devils are reportedly preparing to break the bank to land the Everton defender.

According to the Independent‘s Mark Ogden, United are ready to offer £50 million for the centre-back—a world-record fee for a defender—and with Chelsea struggling, believe they are in the driving seat to prise him away from Goodison Park.

The news of their determination to get their man will come as a serious blow to Chelsea, who sorely need defensive reinforcement to help them get back to their best.

Their back line is still capable of producing impressive performances, per Squawka Football:

However, such displays have been the exception rather than the rule in this campaign, and the results are there for all to see:

Indeed, the Blues have conceded 24 goals in 15 Premier League games and have already lost eight games—just one fewer than Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City’s combined total of nine.

Stones would be an exceptional candidate to revamp their back line.

BBC Sport’s Ryan Evans believes the 21-year-old should be a key fixture for England:

The Times‘ Henry Winter noted his comfort on the ball:

Indeed, his composure in possession is more reminiscent of a continental defender than an English player, but the youngster is also capable of using his physicality well, having won 55 percent of his tackles and 58 percent of his headed duels in the Premier League, according to Squawka.

United have slightly less need for Stones having been solid at the back this season with just 10 goals conceded in the league.

However, as Ogden also noted, Stones’ capture would fit in with United’s wider pattern of recruiting top young talent—including the likes of Anthony Martial, Memphis Depay and Luke Shaw—to prepare for the future and long-term success.

Further, they’d be remiss not to pursue one of the brightest young stars in English and indeed European football when they have a realistic chance of acquiring him, and Stones would make an excellent candidate to partner Chris Smalling.

Chelsea’s crisis isn’t likely to last more than one season, though, so even if they miss out on the Champions League next year it’s not likely to have a large impact on Stones’ decision when he’s inevitably offered long-term deals by both clubs.

The Blues have been dealt a further blow in the transfer market as they seek to capture Boca Juniors forward Jonathan Calleri in January.

According to David Amoyal, translator for Gianlucadimarzio.com, Inter Milan and Bologna will “collaborate” to sign the 22-year-old, while Chelsea are “having issues getting the work permit” and don’t “seem able to close the deal.”

The striker, who bagged 21 goals and 11 assists in 2015, is one of the hottest properties in South America and could be the answer to the Blues’ other problem area—up front. 

However, it seems Chelsea could be set to miss out on the promising youngster, so they would be wise to line up other targets in case they’re unsuccessful in landing Calleri.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1jSrGod
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J