Transfers: Chelsea to launch another bid for John Stones, LVG reveals superstar plan

The Blues are not backing down in the race to sign Everton's John Stones.

Chelsea are preparing an improved £26m offer for the highly touted defender following their £20m bid which was rejected earlier this month, according to the Guardian.  Everton have slapped a £38m asking price for the 21-year-old, but may be willing to negotiate with Mourinho with this new offer. The blues will face stiff competition though, as rivals Manchester United are reportedly also keeping tabs on the 21-year-old's movements. Louis van Gaal told Sky Sports that another superstar must be brought in if his side are to win Premier League. The United boss also confirmed that he wishes to keep hold of Angel Di Maria at the club, despite rumours that PSG are lining up a huge bid for the Argentine. However, he admitted he is unsure about Di MAria's future at this stage.

"I think we still need more speed in front and also more creativity and that is why I want (Angel) Di Maria to stay, but, we don't know that so we will have to see." "Bayern Munchen – they have Ribery and Robben. Chelsea have Hazard and Willian. Real Madrid: Ronaldo and Bale. Barcelona: Neymar and Messi."

Van Gaal praised Young and Mata in particular for their fine form last season, but still thinks the side is missing another marquee name.

"(Ashley) Young and (Juan) Mata had fantastic seasons with assists and goals but to win the Champions League you need speed also. That is why I think, maybe, we still have to buy a player with speed and creativity."

Following the signing of Petr Cech, Arsenal are now ready to readdress their attack. Wenger is eyeing up a move for Juventus striker Fernando Llorente in order to add some depth up top, according to reports. The Gunners have joined Premier League rivals Manchester United and Tottenham in the race for Llorente and the Daily Telegraph claim Arsenal are now looking to finalise a deal for about £8.5m for the striker. Finally, Everton are willing to pay up to £10m for Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk, so the Liverpool Echo reports. Having missed out on Antolin Alcaraz and Sylvain Distin this window and Roberto Martinez still hasn't found that solid central defender to improve his squad.

"Our squad is not complete. We are still looking for two positions and we need to make sure they fit exactly in the group in the manner we want and expect as footballers and people. "Central defence is one of those positions. Two experienced centre-halves left the squad, so we need to fill those gaps."

Sunderland and Southampton have also been linked with van Dijk but the Toffees may be the only interested club who can afford Celtic's asking price.