Everton has rejected a third bid of £30 million from Chelsea for its defender John Stones, Sky Sports reports.
The Premier League champions are working on beefing up their defense following their worst start in seventeen years, which has seen them take just a solitary point from 2 matches this season.
The Merseyside club had reportedly previously rejected two offers worth £20m and £26m for the England international, insisting the player will not be sold.
Blues boss Jose Mourinho said after Sunday afternoon defeat at Manchester City that his substitution of captain, John Terry, at half-time was a tactical move, amid increasing opinion that the west London club need reinforce their defense before the close of the summer transfer window.
Chelsea have signed Radamel Falcao, Baba Rahman and Asmir Begovic as replacements for the departed Didier Drogba, Filipe Luis and Petr Cech this summer, while a number of youngsters have departed the Stamford Bridge on loan.
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