Everton will reject John Stones' transfer request as defender eyes Chelsea move

Everton are preparing to reject John Stones' transfer request

ROBERTO MARTINEZ says Everton will reject John Stones' transfer request on Thursday.

Chelsea have had three offers rejected by Everton for Stones this summer, however the young defender submitted a transfer request on Tuesday in an attempt to force a move to Stamford Bridge.

He did start for Everton during their Capital One Cup tie against former club Barnsley on Wednesday, however the centre-back conceeded three goals during the Toffees' 5-3 victory.

 

But Martinez dismissed any suggestion that Stones had been distracted by Chelsea's continual pursuit of the defender and admitted the club were preparing to reject his request on Thursday. 

“We have not rejected it yet because today was a match-day and that was our priority,” said Martinez on the transfer request. “We will reject it in the morning and get on with our business.”

 

The England international still has four years remaining on his contract at Goodison Park and Martinez is insistent his star defender will not leave the club. 

He said: “For a young man under massive pressure he was terrific. 

“I am repeating myself but it is wrong for the football authorities to allow the window to remain open when there are important games taking place. 

“When there is an opportunity to go to Wembley and to win silverware that should be respected and we shouldn’t put our players under this massive pressure.

 

“The situation with John is very clear. We care about him, we want to protect him and give him everything we can to allow him to enjoy his football during this tough period. 

“We’ve got great ambition for John and it has clearly got to the point now where, in football as in life, money can’t buy everything. 

“That’s going to be a very strong statement at Everton. 

“We want to build a winning team and so we want to keep our best performers. John is a big part of our future.”