Transfer news round-up: Chelsea and Arsenal monitoring Everton's John Stones; Liverpool in for Ross Barkley; Trio want Feyenoord defenders Bruno Martins Indi and Stefan de Vrij; Stoke keen on new striker
A look of the biggest transfer rumours doing the rounds
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Your support makes all the difference.Chelsea and Arsenal are believed to be monitoring Everton’s teenage defender John Stones after the centre-back impressed on his call-up to the Toffees’ starting line-up deputising for injured captain Phil Jagielka. The 19-year-old was signed in January last year by former manager David Moyes, but his replacement Roberto Martinez has dismissed any chance of Stones leaving the club in the summer and believes it is a good sign that the youngster, who has an outside chance of going to the World Cup with England, is being linked with a move to a Champions League club.
Everton’s ability to hold onto the defender could hinge on their challenge for a top four finish in the league, as the increased TV money domestically along with Champions League football would put Everton in a stronger position than they have been since the inception of the Premier League.
Martinez also laughed off a reported £38m offer from Merseyside rivals Liverpool in the summer and insists that he will not be leaving the club anytime soon. Addressing the overnight rumour, Martinez said with tongue-in-cheek: “In terms of the speculation, we already turned down a £50million bid from United so we're not going to take £38million from Liverpool.”
Three of the clubs in question sent scouts to PSV Eindhoven as Liverpool, Arsenal and Everton are said to be interested in Feyenoord defenders Bruno Martins Indi and Stefan de Vrij. Both the Reds and the Toffees have been linked in the past with the defensive duo, while the Gunners have addressed the defence as in need of strengthening given the worry defeat to Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea this season. All three were believed to be in attendance for Feyenoord's 2-0 win at PSV.
The north London side have also been linked with a move for French striker Loic Remy. The Queens Park Rangers star, who is on loan with Newcastle this season, has expressed a desire to join a club competing in Europe, and with the Gunners in clear need of a goalscoring striker, Remy could be strutting his stuff at the Emirates sooner rather than later.
Stoke could look to resume their pursuit of Bundesliga strikers Ivica Olic and Mame Biram Diouf. Olic, 34, is out of contract with Wolfsburg this summer, but he is believed to be close to agreeing a new deal to remain with the club and Stoke could be put off by his hefty £75,000-a-week wages. Diouf could also be looking to leave Germany as his contract with Hannover is up for renewal at the end of the season, but they could face competition from both Southampton and West ham as well as Hamburg.
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