Chelsea FC Transfer News: Roma Bid £25million For Kurt Zouma
Chelsea FC youngster Kurt Zouma has been subject to a £25million transfer bid from AS Roma, according to reports
The Sunday People (a sister publication of the Mirror) has reported that Italian side AS Roma have offered upwards of £25million in an attempt to prize Chelsea FC prospect Kurt Zouma away from Stamford Bridge.
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Zouma has been one of the few backup youngsters that has been spared the privilege of being fed into the Chelsea loan machine in recent seasons. Jose Mourinho regarded the defender as a first-team player last season, and indications are that he is to feature much more regularly in this campaign.
However, Roma have thrown a spoke in this particular wheel by bidding a tasty £25m for his services. They are also interested in a loan deal should the Blues not wish to permanently part ways with Zouma.
"Roma’s French coach Rudi Garcia has put Zouma top of his wishlist to replace Alessio Romagnoli, who has joined AC Milan for £22m. And the Serie A club will offer a lucrative loan deal if a permanent signing cannot be agreed."
This development poses an intriguing dilemma for Mourinho. Zouma is currently the third-choice centre-back in the squad, sitting behind Gary Cahill and John Terry in the pecking order. In addition, the club are currently in pursuit of Everton’s John Stones, who at this stage would also probably slot in ahead of Zouma. The arrival of Abdul Baba Rahman could lead to Branislav Ivanovic being available in his more natural centre-back role as well.
If Stones and Baba Rahman arrive, Zouma may find himself rotting away on the bench which would certainly not be what he needs at this crucial stage in his career. The 20-year-old has all the makings of a star defender, but needs regular playing time to help him fulfill this potential. Roma are offering him a chance to get consistent game-time and it would not be surprising if Mourinho is seriously considering the proposition.
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Let’s clear one thing up: Chelsea are not selling Zouma. Chelsea would and should not let Zouma leave unless some astronomical fee close to £60million was on the table. The Frenchman just has too much to offer; it is the loan deal that could be more attractive.
The issue, however, is that the factors that make such an agreement attractive are still hypothetical conjectures at this moment. Everton seem adamant that Stones is not leaving Merseyside while the number of times that I have read (and written about) Baba Rahman being on the verge of completing his move almost makes me believe that the opposite will happen.
Furthermore, even if both deals are completed, there is still plenty of opportunities at Stamford Bridge for Zouma. Ivanovic’s current form means that he most likely won’t be picked ahead of the Frenchman while John Terry will not be playing 38 league games again this season. The youngster is highly-rated by the boss and has even been employed in more unfamiliar roles, such as at right-midfield during the second half against Swansea City.
This is an undoubtedly interesting transfer development. However, after careful deliberation the Blues should see that it is probably best that Zouma stay at Stamford Bridge and begin his first-team career in earnest this season.
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