OPINION
Everton must revive their hunt to sign Sevilla enforcer Steven N’Zonzi after the France international reportedly handed in a transfer request in order to try and force through a move away from the La Liga club.
The Daily Mail has reported that N’Zonzi, 29, is eager to sign for Arsenal this summer in order to move closer to his family and reunite with his former manager Unai Emery.
It is understood that the 6ft 4in (transfermarkt) colossus has a buy-out clause worth £35million, but Sevilla are said to be willing to accept an offer worth much lower than that at £22million.
The report adds that N’Zonzi will look to clear up his future after he is finished representing France at the World Cup in Russia – but Everton must make sure that they are first in the queue to sign up the former Stoke and Blackburn defensive midfielder.
Last December, the Daily Mail reported that N’Zonzi had jetted into London for talks with Everton and Arsenal.
Sam Allardyce was said to be interested in the France international, but Marco Silva should definitely reignite this interest as he is drastically lacking a physical edge to his midfield.
Everton’s defence was woeful last season and it was not just because of the poor options that were in the backline.
It was also down to the lack of steel in the midfield and snapping up N’Zonzi would definitely be a way to improve on that.
He made 44 appearances across all competitions for Sevilla last season and the Spanish outfit certainly struggling without him in the side when they lost 5-0 to Real Madrid, 4-0 to Valencia and 3-1 to Real Sociedad while he was sidelined.
It’s clear that the Frenchman would be a solid addition at Goodison Park and a move that Silva must look to make after this latest development.