Everton bid on Spurs defender as a John Stones replacement

Here's another transfer rumor twist for you: according to the Daily Mail, Everton have lodged a £5m bid for Tottenham Hotspur defender Federico Fazio as they brace themselves for a Premier League season without John Stones.

Fazio was purchased for £7m from Sevilla just a year ago as Daniel Levy's Plan B after failing to land Mateo Musacchio from Villarreal. The towering Argentine center back featured in his fair share of matches last season, but with the signing of Kevin Wimmer and Toby Alderweireld, and with Eric Dier presumably able to slot back into central defense, Fazio appears to be surplus to requirements.

Last week it looked likely that Fazio would be sent to West Brom, possibly in an attempt to smooth the transition of Saido Berahino back to Tottenham, but the deal fell apart over personal terms. It was thought that West Brom might come back in for Fazio or push for a loan deal but we've heard nothing yet to suggest that might happen.

Meanwhile, Chelsea is said to be willing to pay £34m to sign Stones, a highly rated young central defender at the heart of Everton's defensive line. The latest reports suggest that Stones has even handed in a written transfer request. Everton's kind of in a desperate situation with defenders: Fazio would likely walk into Everton's lineup as the Toffees currently have Phil Jagielka and... that's pretty much it.  Everton are also reportedly close to signing fellow Argentine Ramiro Funes Mori from River Plate.

Everton losing Stones also probably means that Spurs would have the upper hand in negotiations, so if this rumor is a thing you can almost expect that Daniel Levy will try and negotiate for a higher fee.