Loads of Everton fans have been reacting on social media lately, as The Telegraph understand the board have opened talks with Chelsea in a bid to sign Kurt Zouma on a permanent deal.
Marco Silva regularly turned to the 24-year-old during his loan spell with the club, but has so far faced the prospect of losing the French defender after he returned to South-West London. The Stamford Bridge outfit are also facing a two-window transfer ban, which would prevent them from replacing the centre-back if he were to join the Toffees permanently.
But there has always been hope on Merseyside in a potential deal being struck, and it is now claimed negotiations have begun with Chelsea to see if an agreement can be reached, having agreed to pay FC Barcelona £22million for Andre Gomes.
Chelsea are not thought to have made their position on Zouma’s future clear yet, as they have multiple youth options to consider ahead of the new term. Although they may feel they are short of experienced options with Gary Cahill leaving at the end of the month when his contract expires, and Antonio Rudiger may potentially miss the start of the season with a knee injury.
It is also not claimed how much we would be willing to pay to sign Zouma, who has four years remaining on a £40,000-a-week contract at Stamford Bridge, further highlighting Chelsea’s lack of urgency in seeking a quick sale.
Thanks to his efforts on loan at Goodison Park, though, TransferMarkt now rate the 4-cap international at £22.5million – a career-high.
When word reached Reddit that negotiations had begun, this is how these Everton fans reacted…
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