Everton ready to sell Stones - but hope to keep Lukaku

Everton are reportedly ready to sell John Stones this summer - but will tell Romelu Lukaku he isn’t going anywhere.

Lukaku has been vocal in his desire to play Champions league football in the near future, fuelling speculation that he may push for a move during the close-season.

Speaking after Belgium’s Euro 2016 defeat to Wales Lukaku confirmed he intended to speak to the club about his future.

However, according to Daily Express journalist Paul Joyce, Everton are ready to tell Lukaku he isn’t for sale and place a £75m price tag on his head to ward off potential suitors.

If Everton can manage to hold onto Lukaku it would be a real boost heading into the new season, though I imagine a vastly improved contract would be a requirement for the 22-year-old agreeing to stay on at Goodison Park.

The news doesn’t look so rosy regarding John Stones though. Joyce also says Everton are prepared to sell the defender to Manchester City - but only for £50m.

That figure has already been mentioned on several occasions this summer, suggesting it has legs.

Stones was the subject of sustained interest from Chelsea last season and even handed in a transfer request, though Everton managed to fend off the then Premier League champions.

It seems Stones is still keen to move on this summer though, with Pep Guardiola’s Man City waiting in the wings.

With Ronald Koeman and Guardiola now back to work after their summer break, expect transfer deals to rapidly gather pace in the coming days and weeks.