Didn't Everton run our every bid for Lescott and Barry via the media? Hope they help Stones out and keep negations behind the scenes this time. Plus, Chelsea's Stones bids were almost minute by minute updates earlier in the year, can only think that Everton were putting that out too to keep them away. The fact that they haven't maybe suggests that one of players is also involved in a part ex, or they actually want to do a deal this time.
New ownership, different manager. I assume you don't mean Barry as well - we signed him from Villa.