Everton want to keep Kurt Zouma at Goodison Park but will Premier League powerhouses Chelsea let them?
Everton’s hopes of signing Kurt Zouma on a permanent basis this summer have been ‘complicated’ according to the Liverpool Echo, though Marco Silva has indicated that the France international remains a priority for the Merseyside outfit.
Zouma has impressed since swapping Stamford Bridge for Goodison Park last summer, starting 22 Premier League games to rebuild a reputation that suffered a battering during a dreadful spell at Stoke City that ended in relegation.
It is claimed that Everton are expected to try and sign the 24-year-old in the summer on a permanent basis but problems could arise given that Chelsea have been banned from registering new players – which means they could not replace Zouma should he leave.
As a result, the Liverpool Echo reports that any deal will now be ‘complicated’.
“Let’s see what we can do or not and what will be our decision,” said head coach Silva.
“It is also about the decision of Kurt and Chelsea so there will be three parts on his possible or not deal: us, Kurt and Chelsea.”
It remains to be seen what Chelsea’s plans are for the former St Etienne starlet. With Gary Cahill’s future also uncertain, Maurizio Sarri might opt to welcome Zouma back to West London to replace the veteran England international.
And if they decide to sell, they could ramp up the defender’s price tag in a time where signing a replacement looks likely to be impossible.
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