Everton are still thought to be in contact with Chelsea over a potential deal for defender Kurt Zouma – but do the Toffees have a chance of signing the Frenchman?
According to The Times’ Paul Joyce, cited by the Daily Post, Everton are still in discussions with the Blues over a permanent deal for the 24-year-old.
Zouma enjoyed a hugely successful loan spell on Merseyside last season, with many expecting the defender to make his stay at Goodison Park a permanent one.
However, after Maurizio Sarri left Stamford Bridge and was replaced by club legend Frank Lampard, a return to Everton for Zouma is now up in the air.
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If Zouma is to make the move north on a full-time basis, a deal could go right down to the wire over the next seven days.
With the two clubs still in discussions, Everton are obviously optimistic over a permanent deal, despite Chelsea’s two-window transfer ban, and they look set to do everything they can to bring the player back to the club.
Chelsea boss Lampard insisted that he was hoping to keep hold of the defender in recent weeks, so the Toffees may well have to place a tempting offer above the Blues’ initial £30 million valuation.
If they can tempt their Premier League rivals into selling, it could turn out to be one of the best pieces of business the club have done in recent times.
