Everton line up Dynamo Kiev defender as replacement for Chelsea target John Stones

Everton have lined up a move for Dynamo Kiev's Aleksandar Dragovic should England defender John Stones leave Goodison Park this summer.

Toffees boss Roberto Martinez is desperate to stave off interest from Chelsea and keep hold of highly-rated Stones, however Everton have entered preliminary talks with Dragovic, who has also been linked with Arsenal and West Ham.

The 24-year-old is tipped to leave the Ukrainian champions this summer and according to Italian news outlet SportItalia, Dragovic is keen to move to the Premier League.

Everton see the Austria international as the ideal man to bolster the defensive ranks at the club but would have to pay up to £8m to prise Dragovic away from the capital.

Martinez is aware he needs to move quickly to land the former Basel centre-back given Kiev's season has already begun.