John Stones

[BlueToffee]

Difference is that Everton don't want or need to sell, but if the player wants to leave they've put a price on his head that they'd be happy to swallow. I reckon the 15% to Barnsley is the sticking point, it's the difference between Everton getting £42.5m or £34m.

This in a nutshell - I think the fee we want for ourselves is around £40 mill.

Anyway, thanks for the discussion. I'll pop back with any updates or ITK bits from our side. I think its in everyone's best interest to get this deal done soon and we can all move on with our preparation for the season.

 

[leewill31]

Ferdinand could defend, it may hurt for some people to say this but Ferdinand was a great defender who could also play. Pep would of loved him. Stones has a long long long way before he could be compared to Ferdinand.

David o'leary made rio the defnder he was in only 2 years at leeds im pretty positive Pep and his staff can do the same for stones.

 

[GeorgeHeslop'sTackle.]

In my view there are other positions more in need of urgent attention than a new CB.

A strong young energetic CM, to act as Merlin's minder & stop him getting clogged from piller to post each week, for example

 

[SWP's back]

I imagine so.

But in the end, if that can't be negotiated, it will be down to how much Pep feels he needs him for the plan to work. After watching the pre season games, I'm starting to think he may need a keeper more.

I don't think buying Stone would hamper a new keeper being brought in.

 

[nibz]

O'leary pushed him on a peg or two but he still had his fault's early days at United. Saying that I think Stones will flourish under Pep.

 

[MCFC1993]

He's just coming on for the last 10 minutes against Real Betis now.

 

[Damien10]

In my view there are other positions more in need of urgent attention than a new CB.

A strong young energetic CM, to act as Merlin's minder & stop him getting clogged from piller to post each week, for example

YES! Adding another centre mid is vital.

 

[bluesince76]

Difference is that Everton don't want or need to sell, but if the player wants to leave they've put a price on his head that they'd be happy to swallow. I reckon the 15% to Barnsley is the sticking point, it's the difference between Everton getting £42.5m or £34m.

I suspect the Barnsley thing won't help and Everton should probably have tried to buy Barnsley out after last summer - I suspect Barnsley would have taken £3-4m at the end of the August window, considering they'd have still had a few weeks of their window left to spend it.

If Everton want £40m for themselves, we'd have to pay £47.5m. I suspect we'd go to that, as it's below the £50m we've said we're not going to pay and it stops Stones being the most expensive defender or English player. But if Everton don't bend from the £50m at all, I can't see this happening and I think it's important we don't pay it, otherwise we'll continue to be seen as an easy touch

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

Thing is, I don't think either side is bluffing here. We could decide to get up and walk away from the table, and they'd probably let us do it. Interesting few days in store, here. Surely it must be decided one way or the other by the beginning of August at the latest.

 

[kaz7]

We can't get pep then say you can't have who you want to do the job,i think it'll get done but we might have to pay up