Chelsea will table their second bid of £26 million in “the next 48 hours” for Everton defender John Stones, as mentioned by the Mirror. Jose Mourinho initially offered £20m for the 21-year-old not long ago, according to reports, but the bid was swiftly rejected, and rumors are suggesting that the new sum is in the region of £25m.

The fresh offer was immediately rejected, but Chelsea remain confident of landing Stones before the summer transfer window shuts.

But despite Everton’s stance, it seems as though the Blues are undeterred in their interest.

With roughly a month left before the September 1st Transfer Deadline, Chelsea has plenty of time to come back with a third offer.

Stones then made 28 appearances for the Merseyside outfit last season, scoring one goal.

He told the Press Association: “I could see him going to play for Mourinho and getting even better”.

“This is between John Stones and Everton and I don’t speak about him because he is an Everton player“. Therefore, the Everton man adds to Chelsea FC’s option.

Here’s how John Stones measures up statistically versus Chelsea’s current central defenders.

Keown said, ‘I think it’s very early days. The established center-back pairing of Gary Cahill and John Terry will, barring injury, continue as the Blues’ first choice set-up.

Martinez is interested in Manchester United’s Jonny Evans and has been linked with Dynamo Kiev defender Aleksandar Dragovic.