Everton chairman Bill Kenwright has insisted that defender John Stones is not for sale after the club rejected a transfer request lodged by the England international.
Stones, who has been the subject of repeated bids from Chelsea over the summer transfer window, has been trying to force his exit from Goodison Park.
But Everton are standing firm and vowing that Stones will not be sold this summer.
Kenwright wrote in a statement on the club's official site: "Everton Football Club has rejected a transfer request from John Stones.
"Since the start of the transfer window, we have resolutely turned down offers from another Premier League football club for our player", Kenwright continued.
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"John is not for sale and he will remain a highly valued member of our first team squad."
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is keen to get a deal done for Stones before the transfer window closes on Tuesday as he seeks to bolster his defensive options for the season ahead.
But Chelsea may be set to be disappointed as Everton are continuing to hold firm to their stance of not allowing Stones to depart, no matter what bids are placed on their table.
