New defensive target identified as Mina deal stalls

Everton are considering a loan move for Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma as Marco Silva desperately looks to bolster his defensive options before the transfer deadline.

The Daily Mirror is reporting that Everton are “increasingly confident” of signing the French international on a season-long loan.

The 23-year-old looks to be on his way out of Stamford Bridge after losing his number five squad number to summer signing Jorginho.

Zouma spent last season on loan at Stoke where he couldn’t prevent their relegation to the Championship. He did however demonstrate his return to full fitness after suffering a serious knee injury during the 2016-17 season.

Prior to that injury Zouma had impressed in a Chelsea shirt, winning the club’s Player of the Year award during their title winning 2014-15 season.

The Toffees look to have turned to Zouma after continuing to be frustrated in their attempts to land prime defensive target Yerry Mina from Barcelona. Reports in Spain last night claimed a deal was agreed but reports back in the UK suggested work was still to be done.

Manchester United and Lyon both remain interested in the Colombia international and it looks like the deal will drag on right until the deadline.

Marcos Rojo is an alternative option for Silva but the Man Utd defender’s future is again linked with that of Mina, while reports also suggest Rojo would be looking for a significant payrise to move to Goodison Park.

Given Everton’s lack of credible defensive options at present it would be amiss to turn our noses up at this deal, particularly if it’s a loan.

They simply cannot go into the season with Phil Jagielka and Michael Keane as a first choice centre-back pairing or things may turn ugly.