Barcelona supporters want La Liga giants to sign Everton star defender John Stones

  • FC Barcelona news: All the latest from the Nou Camp 
  • Everton defender John Stones is one of Europe's most promising talents
  • He saw a move to Chelsea fail to materialise after Toffees refused to sell
  • Spanish daily Sport ran a poll asking fans what they thought of Stones
  • Almost 75 per cent of fans who voted want La Liga club to sign defender
  • Promising England defender was wanted by Barcelona in summer of 2014
  • Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has compared Stones to Rio Ferdinand 

By Matt Maltby For Mailonline

Published: 07:41 EST, 23 November 2015 | Updated: 07:47 EST, 23 November 2015

Barcelona supporters have added fuel to the speculation linking John Stones with a move away from Everton by revealing they want to see the defender seal a move to the Nou Camp.

Stones is one of Europe's most promising talents after breaking into the Toffees team during the 2013-14 season.

The England defender's form last season saw him linked with move to Premier League champions Chelsea in the summer but the club were reluctant to sell - and he remained at Goodison Park.

Everton defender John Stones has become one of Europe's most promising talents after impressing for club

Everton defender John Stones has become one of Europe's most promising talents after impressing for club

Stones saw a move to Chelsea fall through in the summer but he has continued to impress for Everton

Stones saw a move to Chelsea fall through in the summer but he has continued to impress for Everton

However, Stones has continued where he left off in the last campaign and it appears the transfer saga has taken another twist after Barca fans revealed they want the club to sign the centre back. 

Ahead of their 4-0 thrashing of Real Madrid on the weekend, Spanish daily newspaper Sport ran a poll asking fans what they thought of Stones.

Almost 75 per cent of supporters who voted said they would like to see the promising 21-year-old join their defensive ranks.

As revealed earlier this year, Stones was the shock name on Barcelona's shopping list of central defenders in the summer of 2014.

Barcelona ended up signing Jeremy Mathieu from Valencia for £14.5m and 29-year-old Thomas Vermaelen from Arsenal for £15m but influential voices at the Catalan club urged then-sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta to bid for Stones instead.

The centre back has been linked with move away from Everton and Barca fans have added fuel to speculation

The centre back has been linked with move away from Everton and Barca fans have added fuel to speculation

Almost 75 per cent of supporters who voted in a poll ran by Sport admitted they want club to sign defender

Almost 75 per cent of supporters who voted in a poll ran by Sport admitted they want club to sign defender

According to El Pais, Barcelona were desperate for defensive reinforcements at the end of the 2013-14 season.

The former Barnsley defender moved himself up the list of possible targets with performances for Everton that saw the youngster on the stand-by list for England's World Cup campaign in Brazil.

In the end Barcelona coach Luis Enrique insisted on the signing of Mathieu – another player who can also fill-in at full back - and Stones remained in England where he continues to impress. 

The recent poll comes after Barcelona defender Gerard Pique included Stones in his world XI - and the former Manchester United centre back also heaped praise on the player. 

The 21-year-old has won seven England caps and has a promising career ahead of him as a defender

The 21-year-old has won seven England caps and has a promising career ahead of him as a defender

'Rio Ferdinand and John Terry were the two main central defenders in England. Top-level,' Pique told The Telegraph. 'Now I think John Stones is a really, really, good player. He will have a good career.

'He's like Rio, a bit. He's young and alongside him they probably need one who is more experienced. Jagielka is injured. But Smalling is playing well at Manchester United.

'Now the position of the centre-back is not just about defending or being nasty or tough. It's about knowing how to play football, control the ball, pass and be more comfortable in possession,' added the Spain international. 

'This is something that 10 years ago [in England] they didn't understand. Rio was the first one who did it. And now there is Stones, he's one of the new generation who understand football not just as a defender.' 

It comes after Barcelona defender Gerard Pique included Stones in his world XI - and also hailed the youngster

It comes after Barcelona defender Gerard Pique included Stones in his world XI - and also hailed the youngster

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