Everton must walk away from the idea of re-signing Kurt Zouma as reports claim Carlo Ancelotti’s side are rivalling Leicester City at top of the queue chasing the Chelsea defender.
What’s the word?
According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea are ready to allow Zouma to secure a permanent move away from Stamford Bridge ahead of Monday’s Deadline Day having seen the 25-year-old fall down the pecking order.
Zouma began the campaign strongly with starting roles in the Blues’ opening two Premier League fixtures but found himself an outcast of the matchday squad that travelled to West Bromwich Albion following a 2-0 defeat at home to Liverpool.
The Lyon-born centre-half is now behind 36-year-old Thiago Silva in Frank Lampard’s plans, while also contending with Andreas Christensen, Fikayo Tomori and Antonio Rudiger for minutes in his preferred role.
Chelsea are hopeful of earning around £36million through the sale of Zouma, who is believed to be of interest to a string of sides headed by Everton and Leicester approaching the end of the window.
Zouma enjoyed a successful loan spell at Goodison Park during the 2018/19 season, making 36 appearances across all competitions including starting roles in 29 Premier League games, leading to 28 top-flight outings upon his return to south west London last term.
Ancelotti must walk away
While Zouma enjoyed a consistent run in the Everton starting line-up under Marco Silva whilst on loan at Goodison Park before being courted by the Portuguese who sought a permanent deal, the Toffees no longer need to acquire the 6 ft 2 defender.
Everton are on the cusp of sealing an initial £25m deal for Norwich City star Ben Godfrey, who will add the needed support in the Toffees backline following the injuries to Mason Holgate and Jarrad Branthwaite that sparked Ancelotti to hit the transfer market searching for a new centre-half.
Godfrey’s anticipated arrival on Merseyside is also said to have paved the end to Everton’s interest in a deal for Tomori, who would have become one of seven first-team options had he been acquired alongside the Canaries talent.
To now go-ahead and splash £36m on Zouma and make the five-time international the Toffees’ most-expensive defensive addition in club history would be a mind-boggling move, unless Ancelotti is planning to move on one of Michael Keane, Yerry Mina or Holgate in the coming days.
AND in other news, a long-time Everton star has emerged as a transfer option for a Premier League competitor.
