European champions Barcelona have emerged as the latest club to take an interest in promising young Everton defender John Stones, with long-term interest from Manchester United and Chelsea still beckoning for the youngster.
It has recently emerged that scouts from the Catalan giants were in attendance for Spain’s 2-0 victory over England on Friday evening, presumably to watch the ever-progressing 22-year-old.
However, their plans to watch Stones in action fell through as England boss Roy Hodgson decided to rest the Everton man. Instead he played him against France as England ran out as 2-0 winners, in a game which featured another composed and impressive performance from Stones.
Just six days before Spain’s friendly against England, centre-back Gerard Pique revealed that Stones would be in his World XI at the moment, before heaping praise on the young England international. Pique described him as “one of a new generation who understands football not just as a defender”.
However, the acquisition of Stones would not be a cheap one for Barcelona, after bids of up to £40 million were previously rejected by Everton from Chelsea last summer, meaning that the Spanish champions will need to dig deep into their pockets to prize the youngster away from Goodison Park.
