With James McCarthy out for a year following a double leg break will Everton try and push through deal for Sevilla’s Steven N’Zonzi?
James McCarthy of Everton is taken off on a stretcher during the Premier League match against West Bromwich Albion.
James McCarthy could be absent for up to a year, according to the Mirror, after the midfielder suffered a double leg break during Everton’s 1-1 Premier League draw with West Bromwich Albion.
The horrific injury to McCarthy occurred after an accidental coming together with Baggies striker Salomon Rondon and the 27-year-old was stretchered off and went straight to hospital.
Salomon Rondon of West Bromwich Albion reacts following James McCarthy of Everton (not pictured) going down during the Premier League match at Goodison Park.
The Republic of Ireland international will undergo surgery on the compound fracture to his fibula and tibia and will miss the rest of this season and much of next as a result.
It leaves the Toffees light in central midfield and could mean that manager Sam Allardyce delves into the transfer market once more before the January window closes, despite having already signed Cenk Tosun and Theo Walcott this month.
One player who Allardyce has had his eye on and also plays the same role as McCarthy is Steven N’Zonzi, with Spanish publication Estadio Deportivo reporting as recently as January 17 that the Merseyside club were interested in the Sevilla ace.
David Lopez of RCD Espanyol competes for the ball with Steven N’Zonzi of Sevilla FC during the La Liga match.
N’Zonzi, who previously played in the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City, has a release clause of £35m but could be allowed to leave for less.
Everton are willing to pay £20m for the 29-year-old – who worked with Allardyce at Blackburn – although could they be prepared to raise that offer taking into account the recent developments with McCarthy?
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