St Etienne’s Zouma could become the Blues next January signing.
Saint-Etienne defender Kurt Zouma has given the biggest hint yet that the 19-year-old will be making a move to Chelsea in the January transfer window.
The talented, young centre-back has confirmed that ‘advanced contact’ has been made with Blues manager Jose Mourinho and that the Frenchman is flattered by the interest.
“There was advanced contact last month,” Zouma was quoted by ESPN.
“At the start I thought it was a joke but afterwards I quickly took his call seriously.
“When a great man like Jose Mourinho calls a little player like Kurt Zouma, it’s nice.
“It doesn’t happen every day and it’s a big sign of respect and confidence.”
The west London club have been tracking the teenager for the past 18 months and have been heavily linked with a transfer of around £10m.
AS Monaco and Inter Milan are also thought to be interested, but the presence of Mourinho looks to sway Zouma in favour of a move to Stamford Bridge.
After progressing from the club’s youth academy the youngster broke into the St Etienne first team in the summer of 2011 and has since played 60 matches for the side in all competitions.
Zouma is now an established member of the starting XI, although is currently serving a 10-match ban for a horrendous challenge on Thomas Guerbert – which broke the Sochaux player’s leg.
If the France under-21 international does decide to make the switch to London then it could finally signal the end of David Luiz’s time in England, as Barcelona look to close in on the Brazilian.
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