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Wigan have formalised their interest in highly-rated 18-year old defender John Stones after making a bid for the England under-19 right-back.
Sportsmail revealed last month that relegation-threatened Wigan had edged ahead of Chelsea, Aston Villa Sunderland, Manchester City and Everton in the race for the £3million-rated prospect.

Manager Roberto Martinez believes he has now landed one of his top targets after contacting cash-strapped Barnsley with an offer that looks sure to be accepted.
Stones is one of the most coveted young defenders in the country and is seen as a coup by Martinez, who desperately needs reinforcements at the back after suffering a series of defensive injury setbacks.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...right-John-Stones-Barnsley.html#ixzz2JSggNYFy
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Liverpool, Everton, Southampton, Fulham and Man City scouts were in attendance last night.

 

If he goes to Wigan, I'll be dissapointed for him! He'll be back in this league next season.

 

Im not dead set against him being sold if the price is right, the problem is we have no time to land a replacement. I'd say £3m isn't enough either.

 

my thoughts exactly. not sure that's a good career move for him at this stage. If it were me (haha!) be looking at a mid-table team who have stability and will offer him the chance of breaking through into the 1st XI.

 

I wouldn't sell him, end of. Get a lot more money keeping hold of him, regardless of the division.

 

Put up or shut up.


Ideal replacement for Stones is Stones (they loan him straight back to us for remainder of the season)

 

Then let's get into a bidding war !!!

Everton say they have no money, have just bought a johnny-foreigner for 8million.

Now's the time to cash in if he's in so much demand.

Sky's the limit, Don, old bean.

 

The problem with selling him to Wigan is, as detailed in the article, they need him due to injuries therefore there's no chance of getting him back on loan for the rest of the season - if he went to any of the others mentioned there would be a good chance of getting him back.

For me if the price is not 'silly' i cant really see the point of selling him in this window - what would we do with the cash apart from bank it and have it to balance th books? its been reported the club wont commit to any permanent contracts as we don't know what division we'll be in next year, would splashing money on loan players wages be a good idea - possibly not, the team seem to be coping quite well at the moment - Stones will still be worth the same if not more in the summer and hes doing a good job in the system we are playing at the moment - if it were up to me I'd be tempted to hang on to him for the remainder of this season at least.

 

Can't see them going from £500k (initial) to £3mill personally to big a jump we can't afford to let him fo under that (ild prefer around 5) plus I don't think Wigan would be a good move Everton yes Wigan no

 

Stones is up for sale:

http://www.drinksdirect.co.uk/cgi-b...=14&WD=stones&PN=stones_bitter.html#a503#a503

 

3million sounded enough a week ago

after last night and the extra interest i dont think it is tbh

supprised utd havent sound a interest stones smalling and jones would make a fantastic english back line in years to come

 

For the 6+5 rule for the big 4 then it would be good to get him. He can play right back now which united to be fair could do with and in a couple of years of learning off Rio Ferdinand he could be one hell of an international centre back.

 

Spoke about this last night quite abit.

We don't need to sell him just yet. Should we get relegated we are not in a worse situation in terms of his value. He is under contract and he seems to have a calm head on him that wouldn't be easily swayed on the 'cash' front.
Much as it down to finances I also believe that Flicker is cautious about where he goes next for his development and potential playing time.

After last nights showing and seeing him at Wing back for the first time, no doubt this lad could go for 10 million + at some point in his career.

 

We have him under contract for a few years yet, it sounds like he is happy and we don't want to sell so tell them he isn't for sale and move on. He will be worth more in the summer. Lets show some flaming resolve and ****** for once.

 

Stones value increasing by-the-week.

The lad has time on his side, so I don't believe we have any major rush to sell this Jan transfer window to be honest.

I am certain Man Utd will be looking at him............they spent £3.9 M on "as defensive cover".

As I said on an earlier thread, £5M is looking more feasible as we progress.

 

He's under contract, doesn't want to leave.

Is improving by the week.

Watching thee closely Rowing/Cryne/See through.

Let him go for less than £3mill and they can go **** it.

 

If he is to go then loaning him back would be the only option given the time frame we have left for signing a possible replacement. I'd be looking at £5m plus add ons.

Although as others have said, i dont think there's any need for him to be sold by us, or rush him into making a move especially as I guess he's probably only just got his head round playing 1st team football for Barnsley.

edit: I dont think he will lose value if we go down, but he will certainly gain in value if we stay up.