Everton eyeing move for £29 million Chelsea man but face competition from AS Roma
Everton’s transfer window so far has been dull and gloomy with no transfer business taking place yet. It’s partly due to the fact that the club were focused on hiring a new manager after Carlo Ancelotti left the club in June. Now that Rafael Benitez has arrived at Everton, transfer business is also picking up pace as transfer targets are being recognized. Kurt Zouma is the latest player to be associated with the Toffees.
Chelsea have revolutionized under Thomas Tuchel and the recent Champions League victory is a testament of their progress under the German who arrived at Stamford Bridge in January. Under Tuchel, the Blues have predominantly lined up in a three man defence with Thiago Silva, Cesar Azpilicueta and Antonio Rudiger as the preferred back three. Reece James lines up either as a right wing back or as a right sided centre back in the three man defence.
Denmark international Andreas Christensen remains the next in the pecking order ahead of Kurt Zouma. AC Milan exercised their buy option for Fikayo Tomori and now it appears Zouma is also looking for an exit.
The Chelsea defender has been restricted to just 13 outings under Tuchel compared to Christensen who has played 19 games for the Blues since the German’s arrival at Stamford Bridge. Zouma has admirers in the Premier League and abroad.
Everton keen on Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma
According to Telefoot journalist Julien Maynard, Zouma is expected to leave Chelsea this summer. The Frenchman is liked by Everton, Wolves and Tottenham Hotspur. Wolves positioned themselves to sign the 26 year old but the move was declined by Zouma, leaving Everton and Spurs as interested parties in England.
Abroad, Jose Mourinho is keen to bring the 6’2’’ defender to AS Roma on loan with an option to buy. Zouma has enjoyed a good spell under Mourinho when the Portuguese was in charge of the London club.
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The Frenchman spent the 2019-20 season on loan at Goodison Park, making 36 appearances under Marco Silva. The Frenchman produced impressive displays which even prompted several talks of a permanent transfer. It now appears that the Toffees are prepared to try their luck once again in Zouma chase.
Rafa Benitez has Michael Keane, Yerry Mina, Ben Godfrey, Mason Holgate and Jarrad Branthwaite as central options. Branthwaite could be sent out on loan for regular minutes as the youngster continues his metamorphosis. Who becomes Benitez’s preferred central defenders still remains to be seen but links to centre backs indicate that the Spaniard could bolster the defence.
Zouma is a player well known among the Everton circles because of his loan spell and could be a competent addition to the squad but before that, the Toffees need to make room for a centre back by offloading one of the available players. Godfrey and Keane were solid last season and are likely to remain with the club.
Next. Everton looking to battle Tottenham for two separate players worth £18m and £16m. dark
Zouma is rated at £29 million (Transfermarkt). His contract runs till 2023 and the London club will be expecting a bid in a similar range. Whether the Royal Blues make an official bid or not for Kurt Zouma remains to be seen.