Everton are “pessimistic” about keeping hold of Kurt Zouma in the long term, according to Metro.
The newspaper claim the Merseysiders are not expecting to keep the Chelsea defender beyond his season-long loan and are already making moves to sign alternative centre-backs.
Zouma was one of three defender signings at Everton this summer, along with permanent arrivals Yerry Mina and Lucas Digne as six new players came to Goodison Park.
OPINION
Zouma has made a big impact since joining Everton on loan and there has been speculation that the Toffees would look to convert his loan into a permanent transfer at some point during the campaign. The problem for Everton is that the more the centre-back impresses for them, the more likely Chelsea are to want him back, especially as Gary Cahill is expected to leave in January and David Luiz turns 32 next April. Zouma has started eight of Everton’s 12 league matches and has been Michael Keane’s regular partner. But his run in the team was broken last weekend when Yerry Mina replaced him against parent club Chelsea. Given how well Mina played in the goal-less draw and Keane’s impressive recent form, that could be the combination Marco Silva goes without immediately after the international break. Nevertheless, Zouma is playing his best football in years and the evidence is growing he would be a brilliant full-time signing. There is just the matter of persuading Chelsea.