Chelsea abandon Stones pursuit and move for Monaco star

Chelsea are reportedly set to give up on their pursuit of England defender John Stones as they line-up a move for Aymen Abdennour as an alternative.

The Premier League champions have already had FOUR bids turned down by rivals Everton for the young centre-half, meaning the Blues have now switched their attentions to signing Monaco’s Abdennour.

The 26-year-old, who has 41 international caps for Tunisia, scored once in 26 appearances in all competitions for the Ligue 1 outfit last season.

It is understood that a deal in the region of £15m is in place to take Abdennour to Stamford Bridge before the close of the transfer window on September 1, who was also interesting Liverpool earlier this summer.

The Tunisia star, who can operate comfortably at left-back, was an instrumental part of Monaco’s solid defence last season in a team that shipped just 26 goals last term in the French top flight.