Chelsea FC boss Frank Lampard has made signing a new centre-back for his side a top priority in the ongoing transfer window. West Ham United’s Declan Rice has been identified by Lampard as the probable signing for the Blues this summer. However, if Rice does sign for Chelsea FC, Frenchman Kurt Zouma may be sold to accommodate the new arrival.
Zouma has courted interest from Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspurs in recent weeks. Reports claim that the former Chelsea FC manager Mourinho is very confident of landing Zouma’s signature following the conclusion of the 2019-20 Premier League season. Spurs also have been on the hunt for a new centre-back this summer to sort out their defensive woes.
Belgian star Jan Vertonghen is widely tipped to leave Tottenham Hotspurs at the end of the season. With Inter Milan interested in signing the Vertonghen, Spurs have time on their hands to find a replacement for the 33-year old. And it seems Zouma has been pinpointed as the major transfer target for Jose Mourinho’s side this summer.
Despite interest from Spurs, Everton too had been known to be wanting to sign the 25-year old French international. Zouma had spent the 2018-19 season on loan at the Toffees and was a great performer for them. It is reported that the Frenchman would be open to the idea of moving to Goodison Park on a permanent basis.
However, Mourinho remains confident of signing Zouma for his side before the end of the transfer window. Tottenham Hotspurs are currently chasing a Champions League spot for next season. However, it seems very unlikely that Spurs do manage to finish in the top-four of this season’s Premier League considering their recent form.
Even if Spurs achieve a Europa League spot for the 2020-21 season, Zouma would not mind signing for the London based Premier League outfit. The French defender would be able to play under his former coach Jose Mourinho at the Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium. The Portuguese coach had signed Zouma for the Blues from Ligue 1 side Saint-Étienne.
Since joining Chelsea FC in 2014, Zouma has made 71 appearances in the Blues shirt. The 2019-20 season has seen the 25-year old become a regular starter under Frank Lampard.
However, due to the presence of Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, and Fikayo Tomori, Zouma seems the most likely to be axed by Lampard if a new centre-back is signed for the Blues this summer.
