Transfer News: Atletico Madrid join West Ham and Southampton in the race for Chelsea ace Kurt Zouma
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes (h/t football.london), Atletico Madrid are the latest club to throw their hat in the ring for Chelsea defender, Kurt Zouma.
There is also interest from Premier League clubs West Ham United as well as Southampton. Los Colchoneros are also not the only club in Spain that are linked with the France international.
Sevilla have also shared an interest in him. In fact, according to The Guardian, Chelsea even tried to include Zouma in a cash plus player deal for Los Nervionenses‘ Jules Kounde.
However, the Spanish side did not agree with Chelsea’s £30m valuation and the deal fell through. The 26-year-old has had a hard spell under Thomas Tuchel when it comes to finding game-time.
Where to next for Zouma?
He saw comparatively increased action under Frank Lampard. But even with the German manager’s shift to a formation with three centre-backs, Zouma has fallen down in the pecking order.
Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Thiago Silva, and Cesar Azpilicueta are all preferred by Tuchel in his defensive line. But the Blues have to be careful regarding their depth at the back.
Fikayo Tomori has completed his move to AC Milan while Marc Guehi has also left permanently to join London rivals, Crystal Palace. In light of this, losing another centre-back like Zouma may not bode well for the near future.
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Thiago Silva, who turns 37 this year, just signed a one-year contract extension while Christensen and Rudiger are also in the last 12 months of their deals. In light of this, it would be smart from Tuchel if Zouma’s potential sale is balanced by an incoming signing at the back.