---
title: "Barcelona rival Chelsea for exceptional England international"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/barcelona-rival-chelsea-for-exceptional-england-international/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Josh Challies"
section: "Chelsea Football Club"
published: "2015-11-19T19:26:43Z"
modified: "2015-11-19T19:26:43Z"
---

# Barcelona rival Chelsea for exceptional England international

![stones](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/stones1-500x336.jpg?admin)Fans in the Transfer Tavern can’t quite believe what they’re reading this afternoon, as it’s stated that European giants Barcelona have joined the hunt for one of England’s finest.

[*The Telegraph* says that Barcelona have scouted Everton defender John Stones and are now preparing to rival Chelsea for the signature of the England international.](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/barcelona/12004215/Barcelona-join-Chelsea-and-Manchester-United-in-John-Stones-transfer-battle.html)

[Barcelona sent scouts to watch Stones in action against Spain last week](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/barcelona/12004215/Barcelona-join-Chelsea-and-Manchester-United-in-John-Stones-transfer-battle.html), though the Toffees defender did not feature in that friendly, but the Everton man put in a great shift during England’s victory over France; their first win over Les Bleus since 1997.

[Everton rejected Chelsea’s numerous offers for Stones during the summer](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/everton/11829065/Everton-say-Chelsea-target-John-Stones-is-not-for-sale-as-Bill-Kenwright-rejects-transfer-request-from-defender.html), with manager Roberto Martinez stating that one day he’d move somewhere better than Stamford Bridge, and it seems Catalonia could be that destination.

It would be a huge deal to see an England international at one of Europe’s finest clubs, with the last England national to play for Barcelona being Gary Linekar in 1989- 26 years ago.

**Is John Stones good enough for Barcelona? Let us know in the comments below!**