Arsenal to rival Chelsea and Man Utd for Stones – Report

Mark Holmes
John Stones: Everton defender linked with Manchester United

John Stones: Everton defender linked with Manchester United

Arsenal are ready to rival Chelsea and Manchester United for the signing of Everton defender John Stones, according to the Sunday Mirror.

Stones was the subject of several offers over the summer from Chelsea, who remain interested in the England international, but the Blues seem certain to face competition if they make a fresh attempt to sign the 21-year-old.

Stones was linked with Manchester United and Barcelona by the Daily Telegraph earlier this month, but the Sunday Mirror says Arsene Wenger is willing to spend big money on a player still in the early part of his career, with Per Mertesacker 31 and Laurent Koscielny 30.

Wenger spent £11.3 million to sign Gabriel Paulista from Villarreal in January and also has Calum Chambers, who joined from Southampton last summer in a deal which could eventually be worth £16million.

However, Gabriel is still adapting to English football, while Arsenal have been using Chambers as a defensive midfielder in training this week as they assess whether they need to buy cover for the injured Francis Coquelin in January.

Everton will not consider selling Stones in the winter transfer window, however, as they challenge for a European spot.