Earlier on Tuesday, we covered reports sending Sevilla’s Steven N’Zonzi to Everton, as Sam Allardyce, who managed him at Blackburn Rovers, could help them secure the move.
Marca stated a figure of around €30m should do the trick to convince the Spanish club to let the France midfielder go after a fallout with his manager, Eduardo Berizzo, at half-time of their 3-3 draw with Liverpool in the Champions League.
N’Zonzi has not featured for the La Liga outfit since that game, and the defensive midfielder has now confirmed his time at Sevilla is all but over, which will be music to Everton’s ears.
Speaking to France Football, he said: “My future is clearly elsewhere than in Seville. The only thing that disappoints me is the manner in which this is ending.”
Currently in London, the France international’s presence in the capital led to claims he was using the trip to sort out his transfer, but N’Zonzi made it clear that wasn’t the case.
He continued: “I’m indeed in London, but it’s got nothing to do with a transfer or football. I’ve come to see my son who lives here and to spend some time with him. As you can see, it’s not a question of signing for Arsenal or anywhere else.”
In fact, N’Zonzi has no idea where he’ll sign, even if he isn’t worried about his future, knowing full well a number of clubs are likely to want to acquire his services.
Whether that is Everton, Arsenal or another club in Europe remains to be seen, but few clubs outside of England will be willing to spend upwards of €30m for a 28-year-old midway through the season.
