Everton are in talks with AS Roma over a deal to bring French midfielder Steven Nzonzi to Goodison Park under the instructions of Carlo Ancelotti, according to Aksam via Sport Witness.
Ancelotti is said to want Nzonzi back in the Premier League for the second half of the campaign, having left England in 2015 when the 14-cap international joined La Liga side Sevilla from Stoke City after three years at the Bet365 Stadium.
Roma would later purchase the 31-year-old from Sevilla on a four-year contract in 2018, but would only retain his services for a season before sending the defensive midfielder out on loan to Super Lig giant Galatasaray.
Nzonzi has struggled to establish a key presence for himself at the Turk Telekom Stadium, though, and Gala would now welcome the SC Amiens product landing a winter departure as manager Fatih Terim no longer feels his services are required.
Everton chiefs are in talks with Roma in a bid to agree terms to sign the Ancelotti target, however it is not stated whether Director of Football Marcel Brands is working on a permanent or loan transfer.
Roma are also in discussions with Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyonnais, as head coach Rudi Garcia plans improvements to his squad at the Groupama Stadium that are currently 12th in the standings and 19 points shy of league-leaders PSG.
A decision on Nzonzi’s future is expected in the coming weeks ahead of the January window slamming shut to English and most European sides on January 31 at 23:00.
Nzonzi is understood to be open to returning to the Premier League after four-and-a-half years away, potentially opening the door for a Goodison Park switch.
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This is not the first time that reports have suggested we are interested in a January deal for Nzonzi, with claims surfacing in Italy ahead of Ancelotti’s arrival last month backing the Toffees to land the Frenchman’s signature after failing to do so last summer under Marco Silva.
Nzonzi has started just 59% of Galatasaray’s Super Lig fixtures this season, with the midfielder opening ten of 17 matches, watching three from the bench and has missed Cimbom’s last three games through suspension.
The former Blackburn Rovers man also started five of Gala’s Champions League Group Stage ties, but sat out their 1-1 draw with Club Brugge for accumulating three yellow cards in the first four fixtures.
Disciplinary issues could be problematic should Nzonzi join Ancelotti’s ranks this month, as our midfield has often been blighted with injuries and Tom Davies has already seen six yellow cards brandished in 15 Premier League appearances (11 starts).
In other Everton news, reports have claimed there was a player revolt behind-the-scenes following Sunday’s FA Cup defeat to Liverpool.