Sylvain Distin has admitted that he is not surprised by the speculation linking former Everton teammate John Stones with Chelsea.

The Premier League champions are reportedly preparing a £26m bid for the 21-year-old defender after having an initial £20m offer rejected earlier this month.

While Stones's future at Goodison Park remains unclear, Distin believes that the youngster is destined to play for a "big club".

"He's young, English, full of qualities and a good guy as well," the Frenchman told Sky Sports News. "I've often said it's not enough to have quality on the pitch. Off the pitch you need to be grounded and a good person – and he is.

"So it's not surprising a big club has come in for him. It is a compliment and if he carries on the way he has started and keeps working, he'll end up at a big club, that's for sure."

Distin left Everton for Bournemouth earlier this summer following a six-year spell with the Toffees.