Everton chairman Bill Kenwright has confirmed he has rejected a transfer request from John Stones, warning suitors that the player is not for sale.
The England defender has been the subject of three failed bids from Chelsea, with Jose Mourinho’s side willing to pay over £30 million to secure Stones.
However manager Roberto Martinez has been resolute throughout the window, confirming yesterday that he still intended to select the 21-year-old despite his desire to move to the champions.
In a statement on the club website Kenwright reaffirmed this, explaining: “Everton Football Club has rejected a transfer request from John Stones.
“Since the start of the transfer window, we have resolutely turned down offers from another Premier League football club for our player.
“John is not for sale and he will remain a highly valued member of our first team squad.”
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Chelsea remain confident that a deal worth £34 million will secure their man, however Everton remain resolute in spite of an offer that would make the centre-half the fourth most expensive defender in history.