Real join Stones chase ... thanks to Benitez tip

REAL MADRID have joined the race to sign John Stones — after being urged to do so by sacked manager Rafa Benitez. The Spaniard, who was replaced by Zinedine Zidane on Monday, marked the club’s card over Stones last summer when he took over. Madrid intend to carry the interest through, although Benitez’s departure means it is unlikely to happen this month. Barcelona also want the 21-year-old but they do not have the funds to meet Everton’s asking price. They have been trailing Stones since 2014, but with so much financial muscle being assigned to keep Lionel Messi and Neymar from the clutches of the Premier League, they cannot pay the £40million price tag. Madrid are willing to spend big, with the veteran Pepe turning 33 next month and likely to find a new home in the summer. As well as needing a new centre back, Real are also without a defensive right back and Stones would fit both positions. Everton fought off interest from Chelsea last summer when Jose Mourinho made him his priority in the transfer market, turning down a bid of £30m. Meanwhile, Zidane takes charge of his first game as Real Madrid manager today and says Cristiano Ronaldo is ‘untransferable’. Asked about the interest that Paris SaintGermain have in signing the player he said: ‘He is the soul of this club and the stories make me laugh because, while I’m here, he is not going to leave.’

Wanted man: John Stones Ronaldo will line-up alongside Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema tonight as Real Madrid play Deportivo. Barcelona will appeal against the two-match Spanish Cup ban handed to Luis Suarez for his part in the fracas following Wednesday’s tie against Espanyol.