Sam Allardyce has been quoted with an interest in bringing Steven N’Zonzi to Everton.
Everton manager Sam Allardyce is likely to be busy in his first transfer window as Toffees manager as he weighs up positions that need strengthening within the Merseyside club’s squad.
A new centre-back is likely to be a priority, as could a full-back and the eventual replacement to Romelu Lukaku. However, the Daily Mirror claim Allardyce is looking to add Sevilla central midfielder Steven N’Zonzi to his side.
The report claims Allardyce’s Toffees are confident that they can secure the 6ft 4in giant on loan for the rest of the season with a view to a permanent deal, but face competition from Arsenal and West Ham for the 29-year-old.
N’Zonzi played under Allardyce during his spell at Blackburn Rovers, and has now become available after a row with the La Liga outfit’s manager Eduardo Berizzo – which has seen him miss the last four league games.
The move to add a central midfielder is somewhat a surprising one. The Goodison Park club are already well-stocked in that area, especially following the breakthrough of Tom Davies and Beni Baningime, and Allardyce should sell first.
The Toffees have the aforementioned teenage duo, Idrissa Gueye, Morgan Schneiderlin, James McCarthy, Ross Barkley, Davy Klaassen and Mo Besic. Everton must look to make room.
Although he featured regularly under interim manager David Unsworth, the 19-year-old has featured just once since Allardyce took over in the 3-0 win over Apollon Limassol.
Clearly way down the pecking order under the Toffees’ new boss, Baningime desperately needs first-team football to continue his development and reach the fullest of his promising potential.
That should convince both player and club to allow Baningime to leave on loan in January, if the Toffees do indeed land two-time France international N’Zonzi’s signature.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
