Everton defender John Stones has handed in a transfer request in an attempt to force through a move to Chelsea.

After three failed bids – the last in excess of £30 million – from the Stamford Bridge club, Press Association Sport reported that the England international has now taken matters into his own hands and formally expressed his desire to leave.

Everton have been resolute in their determination to hang on to the highly-rated 21-year-old and manager Roberto Martinez has insisted throughout the saga the centre-back is not for sale.

Martinez refused to even discuss what the club’s response would be should the player hand in a transfer request when he was asked about it yesterday.

“There is nothing to comment on that,” he said. “Once more, it is always the same question and always the same answer.

“The only thing that matters now is the game we have in front of us.”