While Everton have been determined to resist Chelsea's attempt to poach the left-back, it seems the Premier League champion's persistence could start to pay off.
The Sun claim Everton officials are attempting to buy out the £4.5m sell-on clause that Barnsley are due to pocket when Stones is sold.
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Everton are reportedly preparing to sell John Stones
The clause was inserted into the £3m deal that took Stones to Goodison Park in 2013.
It guarantees 15 per cent of any profit gained on a future transfer of the England international.
And The Sun report the Toffees have now offered Barnsley a settlement figure below the original agreement, indicating they are willing to sell Stones to Chelsea.
However, it seems the lower figure – said to be around £2.5m – has been dismissed by the Oakwell club.
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