Transfer chase loses fizz, Tottenham still in there for midfielder, but need has been doubted

Steven N’Zonzi’s call-up for the World Cup did a lot to raise his status after a difficult season with Sevilla.

The midfielder wants to leave his club and has been involved in several controversies there over the past year.

When in Russia, N’Zonzi got five games, four of them as a substitute, and did no harm to his reputation. It was assumed, repeatedly in the Spanish and French media, that there would then be a battle to sign him.

Arsenal have been repeatedly linked, perhaps through a force of habit, and Tottenham dragged in too.

Earlier this week, Estadio Deportivo, a sport newspaper in Seville, reported that Tottenham and Barcelona are ‘still in the bidding’ for the midfielder. Arsenal and Juventus were said to have pulled out of the race.

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Friday’s edition of Diario de Sevilla has an article which sounds rather downbeat on the situation, the fizz has gone out of the rumour. It’s reported that Monchi, AS Roma’s sporting director has made it clear he’s not interested, and Arsenal are again doubted.

Tottenham are in there again, but the newspaper doubts whether they really need the player.

It may be that Sevilla pushing out that they N’Zonzi’s €40m clause has put clubs off.