Chelsea have slapped £25.6m price tag on French centre-back, Kurt Zouma, who is wanted by Serie A giants AS Roma.
After Jose Mourinho arrived at Roma, several Chelsea players have been rumoured with a switch to Serie A.
The two-time Chelsea head coach has introduced Zouma into the first team debut his second stint at the West London club in 2014 and he’s twice attempted to secure the services of the Frenchman since, first at Man Utd back in 2018 and again at Tottenham in 2020.
The Portuguese manager has now returned to Serie A in the Italian capital, and he’s keen to pair Zouma with ex-Manchester United centre-back Chris Smalling in the heart of his backline.
The Serie A giants had hoped to secure the services of the Frenchman on a season-long loan deal. However, RMC claim Chelsea are only willing to discuss a permanent transfer and demanding £25.6m for his signature.
Zouma has played 24 Premier League games for Chelsa and made five Champions League appearances playing a vital role for the Blues to claim the European glory.
This fee would likely prove too high for Italian giants. However, Mourinho was appointed on the basis that he will have significant funds for the 2021/22 season.
The Portuguese head coach has wasted no time in getting down to business in the eternal city, telling eight players that they’re no longer needed at the team and banishing them from first-team training.
The list includes the likes of Justin Kluivert, Federico Fazio and former Chelsea and Barcelona forward Pedro.
The decision to ostracise Fazio, however, could be in part down to Mourinho’s desire to sign Zouma.
Meanwhile, Chelsea unlikely to sell Kurt Zouma if they fail to sign Raphael Varane from Real Madrid.
French centre-back has made it clear that he is open to depart from the Los Blancos ahead of the 2021/22 season with Premier League thought to be his favoured destination. Manchester United and Chelsea both are keen on luring him away from Santiago Bernabeu.
