Kurt Zouma to Barcelona: Barcelona are suffering from a defensive crisis at the moment and are eyeing Kurt Zouma.
Defending La Liga champions, Barcelona, are interested in signing Everton defender, Kurt Zouma. The news breaks out with Zouma returning to the French national team, with Barcelona expected to put scouts in place to monitor the defender’s game against Iceland and Germany.
Kurt Zouma to Barcelona:
The Blaugranas are expected to be in the market for a defender in January or next summer, and have reportedly eyed 23-year-old as a long-term successor for Gerard Pique.
The French international is currently on loan at Everton from Chelsea, after a horrendous knee injury in 2016 saw him lose out his place in the Chelsea eleven. Subsequently, Zouma spent the last season at Stoke City on loan and is now playing this season under Marco Silva at the Goodison Park.
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🔶 Samuel Umtiti is facing a spell on the sidelines, which makes the Spain defender’s terrible form all the more troubling for Ernesto Valverde pic.twitter.com/nefwSbUBau
— BarcaTimes (@BarcaTimes) October 1, 2018
The 23-year-old has started this season on a high, and has been a defensive rock at the back for the Toffees. Depending on his progress this season, Zouma is destined for a big move, and Barcelona are likely to be his dream destination.
🇨🇵 | #EFC
El jugador del Barcelona Samuel Umtiti se ha lesionado y no será tenido en cuenta para la fecha FIFA con su selección.
En su lugar iría Kurt Zouma, el jugador que está cedido en el Everton y ha tenido un buen inicio de temporada! pic.twitter.com/3lWv4H0Eco
— Everton FC 🏴 (@EvertonGoleador) October 4, 2018
Barcelona manager, Ernesto Valverde does not have young centre-backs to his disposal, with both Vermaelen and Pique deteriorating with age. This will make allowance for the Blaugranas to find a solid long-term partner for Samuel Umtiti, who himself is currently on the sidelines due to injury.
In all, France have included eight under-23 players in their latest senior squad:
🇫🇷 Kylian Mbappé
🇫🇷 Ousmane Dembélé
🇫🇷 Tanguy Ndombélé
🇫🇷 Lucas Hernández
🇫🇷 Benjamin Pavard
🇫🇷 Thomas Lemar
🇫🇷 Presnel Kimpembe
🇫🇷 Kurt ZoumaFerland Mendy should be Benjamin Mendy’s replacement. pic.twitter.com/66QqpHw6jt
— Scouted Football (@ScoutedFtbl) October 4, 2018
Kurt Zouma will be closely monitored by Barcelona scouts during the international break and it is possible that the the Catalans might also scout him when the defender returns to club duty with Everton.
Marco Silva on Lucas Digne and Kurt Zouma being included in the France squad: “I think it’s important to them and us as a club. For Lucas Digne, he has participated many times. His recall is important and shows what he is doing at Everton is very good.”
— Everton Blue Army (@EvertonBlueArmy) October 5, 2018
The 23-year-old is comfortable with the ball and has a good aerial ability, making him a perfect option for Ernesto Valverde’s side. It will now only be a test of how well does Zouma perform to make the big European move to Spain, or if Chelsea choose to retain him back in their ranks.
