Chelsea haven't given up on their ambition to finally sign Everton centre-back John Stones. The struggling Stamford Bridge club will make a January offer for the Toffees star, their fifth bid, according to Mirror reporter Darren Lewis.
But the potential offer involves some caveats. Specifically, Blue manager Jose Mourinho will receive the backing of Chelsea to recruit Stones if he improves the club's 16th-placed standing in the Premier League: "The club now intend to prove their support in the winter window if, as Mourinho has promised, he is able to get them back into top four contention by then from their current unfamiliar position of 16th.