It is no secret that Everton are working their socks off to tie down Kurt Zouma permanently following last season’s impressive loan stint from Chelsea. But the negotiations might turn out to be tricky considering the Blues’ transfer ban and the Toffees, therefore, should set their sights elsewhere to bolster the backline.
According to reliable Italian media sources Gianluca Di Marzio and CalcioMercato, Everton are rivalling Arsenal in the chase of Armando Izzo. The Azzurri centre-back enjoyed an impressive run with Torino after completing a €9.7m move from Genoa last summer. He went on to feature 37 times in the Serie A and found the net four times exhibiting his threat from set-pieces.
The 27-year-old defender is valued at around €25m, and potential interest from Manchester United and Lazio has also been reported. He is sharp in the air, strong on the tackle and holds all the traditional attributes that we expect from an Italian centre-half.
His stats depict great composure with the ball, timely tackling and intercepting skills along with concentration and vision to take it out from the back before distributing it high up the pitch via long balls and a smart passing technique.
Everton had an improved display last season under Marco Silva when Zouma partnered Michael Keane in deep defence. Yerry Milna is tipped to step up his game during the upcoming campaign after a difficult start to life in Merseyside, but the exit of Phil Jagielka would leave a void that needs to be filled up in the long run.
While Mason Holgate remains on the fringes, the Toffees must opt for reinforcements irrespective of Zouma’s Goodison future. They missed out on a place in Europe to Wolves but should aim a ‘top six’ finish next term to challenge the big guns of the league. Andre Gomes has completed a £22m transfer (as confirmed by Sky Sports) from Barcelona after making his mark on loan, and the club are now plotting their next move to strengthen the squad furthermore.
Izzo progressed through the youth ranks of Napoli before joining Serie B side Avellino. His towering presence earned him a move to Genoa where he was sentenced to an 18-month ban from football after being convicted in match-fixing during his time with Avellino.
The ban was later reduced to six months, and the player succeeded in putting those gloomy days behind to reach the pinnacle of his career. It is now up to Silva and their new director of football Marcel Brands to decide whether they could wrap up a transfer for him fending off interest from the fellow suitors.
