After such a good season you do get the sense that Everton are in a stronger position than ever in terms of holding onto their best players.
Nevertheless there will be interest from big clubs in the close season for some of their brilliant young stars.
Ross Barkley and Seamus Coleman immediately spring to mind as attractive propositions for big spending giants.
And Arsenal are apparently interested in taking John Stones.
The 19-year-old plays mainly a centre back but looks equally comfortable at right back and has a super future ahead of him. The Guardian says:
Arsenal will respond to this crippling blow by having a good old look at Everton defender John Stones, who has impressed all and sundry since breaking into the team this season.
Arsenal need to strengthen their spine and Stones would represent a really good long-term investment.
Everton boss recently called Stones ‘a phenomenal footballer‘.
“His quality is not a surprise because I had the opportunity to follow his development when he was coming through at Barnsley and he has grown into a phenomenal footballer,”
“As a centre-half he is as good as it gets, and he is only 19. He’s a joy to have in the squad. He’s so calm and composed on the ball and in the same way so aggressive in his defending.
With the Bacary Sagna also possibly looking to leave the club this summer Arsenal could certainly use a player with this sort of quality and flexibility.
But, as we’ve already said, Everton are on an upward trajectory and might even steal a top four place before the end of the season.
With the mercurial Roberto Martinez at the helm Everton seems like the place to be right now so we can’t see Stones leaving the club for at very least another few years.
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