Report: Barcelona to battle Chelsea for John Stones

Barcelona are reportedly prepared to go head to head with Chelsea for the signature of Everton defender John Stones next summer.

The 21-year-old was strongly linked with a move to Chelsea before the start of the season, but Everton managed to repel interest in the England international.

It is understood that Chelsea will wait until the end of the current campaign before making another big offer for the defender, but according to The Sun, Barcelona are also very much in the mix.

Chelsea are said to be prepared to pay in the region of £45m to sign their long-term target, who has also previously been linked with Manchester United.

Spanish champions Barcelona are once again free to sign new players following the expiration of a transfer embargo and it is understood that Stones's technical attributes appeal to the Catalan outfit.