Rumoured Everton and Arsenal target Steven N’Zonzi has admitted he is in London, but stressed to France Football that he’s not there to negotiate a transfer from Sevilla.
There have been reports over the last few days that the Merseysiders are interested in a move for the French midfield powerhouse, who has slipped down the pecking order at the La Liga club.
COPE reports, via The Mirror, that N’Zonzi, who completed more passes than any other player in La Liga last season, is on his way to London with Sevilla’s permission in order to hold talks over a possible transfer in January.
Sunday Mirror Sport revealed Everton boss Sam Allardyce is keen on a reunion with the former Blackburn midfielder at Goodison Park.
The midfielder, 28, has a £35million release clause in his contract and could be set for a move in January, with Arsenal also said to be monitoring his situation.
However, N’Zonzi has moved to deny those reports, instead revealing that he is only in the capital to visit his son.
“I’m in London, but it has nothing to do with a transfer, or even football,” N’Zonzi told France Football in an extended interview on Tuesday. “I came to see my son who lives there and enjoy it to spend time with him. You see, there is no question of a signature at Arsenal or elsewhere.”
However, the former Stoke midfielder admitted his “future is clearly elsewhere than in Seville”.
OPINION
N’Zonzi makes it clear that he is heading out of Seville after falling out with the manager in recent weeks. He would be a brilliant signing for Everton after making huge improvements since his days at Stoke. His combination of grit and guile in central midfield was key to the Spanish club winning the 2016 Europa league, and he has been an integral figure up until the events of the last few weeks. With doubts over Morgan Schneiderlin in the Everton engine room, it is easy to see why N’Zonzi is on the radar of Allardyce, who is said to be a huge fan.