Everton defender and Chelsea target John Stones is learning to speak Spanish with a possible move to Barcelona being reported.

The England centre-back, 21, spends several hours a week learning the language, according to .

This comes on the back of news last week that Barca defender Gerard Pique  Stones in a World XI while fans of the Catalan club voted him as one of the signings they would most like see in January.

However, Chelsea remain interested in the England international and are willing to put up cash plus players – with Papy Djilobodji, Bertrand Traore, and Andreas Christensen those who could be offered.

The Blues offered up to £37million for Stones in the summer, but they were rejected, so it is unknown what more the club can do to force a move.

Stones has played in all but two of Everton’s Premier League fixtures and with Phil Jagielka out until after Christmas with a knee injury, he has had to lead an inexperienced back line for the Toffees.