In what has become the main focus of the Sevilla sport press, the Steven N’Zonzi saga is becoming juicier by the day.
Earlier this week, the newly capped France international revealed felt his future was ‘clearly elsewhere’ than at the La Liga club after falling out with his manager, Eduardo Berizzo, at half-time of the 3-3 draw against Liverpool in the Champions League.
Since then, a number of clubs, including Everton and Arsenal, have been linked with the former Blackburn Rovers midfielder, helped by the fact he has already been managed by Sam Allardyce and was in London recently to visit his son.
As for how much he would cost, most Spanish articles have mentioned a €30m fee, but Estadio Deportivo suggest he could go for a bit less than that, as Sevilla know they won’t get anything near the €40m of his release clause.
Everton’s interest was covered first of all in Sevilla, prior to the England trip, Arsenal being brought in, and N’Zonzi’s comments, and €30m was thought to be good enough, now the price is dropping.
Making it clear any ‘vulture’ offers of €15-20m would be discarded ‘ipso facto’, the local media outlet state offers ‘nearing €30m (or even something less)’ would be a different matter altogether.
If a 29-year-old Nemanja Matic can be bought for £40m, then picking up Steven N’Zonzi, who already knows all about English football, for £25m might not be the worst idea this winter.
First Everton would likely need to find a home for Morgan Schneiderlin, who the club’s fans have largely fallen out with.
