John Stones is a wanted man.
A report from The Daily Star in the UK claims that Manchester United want to buy the Everton star for $75 million as the 21-year-old England international continues to impress in central defense for the Toffees.
[ MORE: Bale, Ronaldo to United? ]
Stones — in his third full season in the Premier League — was at the center of intense speculation all summer as Chelsea had bids turned down by Everton with Roberto Martinez getting irate about the way in which his prized asset was being targeted. Jose Mourinho and the Blues were put off by a $60 million of Stones back in August but ahead of the January transfer window there’s no surprise that his price continues to rise with his assured displays on the ball and he continues to mature.
If he does command a fee of $75 million then it would be a world-record fee paid for a defender.
[ MORE: 9 players out for United ]
A huge future lies ahead for Stones and Everton want him to remain at Goodison Park as they have a spine of talented youngsters in Stones, Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku who are all 22 or under and already have significant PL, European and national team experience under their belts.
Time will tell if money talks and the report suggests United are willing to offer Stones huge wages if he follows the likes of Wayne Rooney and Marouane Fellini in swapping the Toffees for the Red Devils
[ MORE: Mourinho believes Chelsea can finish in top four ]
The big reason why many felt Stones shouldn’t move to Chelsea in the summer was their options at center back — John Terry, Kurt Zouma and Gary Cahill — may have limited his minutes. At United, only Chris Smalling would perhaps keep him out of the team but Stones would be the undisputed first-choice center back at United if he transferred in January or next summer.
