Arsenal join Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur to land 20-year old Everton and England defender John Stones.

Since his move from Barnsley, Stones has made 21 appearances for the Toffee's and has impressed a number of clubs.

His impressive form saw him called up to Roy Hodgson's preliminary World Cup squad in which he made his international debut in a 3-0 win over Peru at Wembley Stadium.

A substantial fee is though to be needed to land Stones as Roberto Martinez will be unwilling to sell the Everton startlet.

Stones received plaudits for his performances last season and is tipped to be one of England's starting defenders at the next World Cup in Russia.

With Thomas Vermaelen looking likely to leave the Emirates, Arsenal's remaining first-team centre-backs are Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny and Johan Djourou, who has returned from loan at Bundesliga club Hamburg.

Stones is also known for his versatility and can play at full-back as well as just in front of the back four.

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