Steven N’Zonzi declines contract renewal with Sevilla as Manchester City and Chelsea look set to bid
Midfielder does not want to stay with the La Liga side and appears intent on forcing through a move
STEVEN N'ZONZI has rejected a new deal with Sevilla.
The 28-year-old is under contract until 2019 and his current deal includes a buyout clause set at £25million.
N'Zonzi has been heavily linked with a return to the Premier League and this latest rejection has put English clubs on red alert.
Keep up to date with ALL the Sevilla news, gossip and transfers on our club page
The proposed contract would up his release clause to almost £50m as the Spanish club attempt to fend off interest.
N'Zonzi could be tempted by a move abroad – and, according to L'Equipe, Italian champions Juventus are willing to offer the midfielder a chance in Serie A.
N'Zonzi has also been linked with a return to the Premier League with Chelsea and Manchester City being the front runners to secure the Frenchman's signature.
Arsenal have expressed interest but are, at the moment, making no movements to sign N’Zonzi.
And the player has already ruled out a move to ambitious Everton.
N,Zonzi began his career at Ligue 2 side Amiens in 2007, following development in six different academies including Paris Saint-Germain.
Fans in England will remember the talents of the ex-Blackburn and Stoke star.
Rovers, who were in the Premier League at the time, scouted N’Zonzi and signed him for £500,000 in 2009, giving him a four-year contract.
N’Zonzi shone for the club and was named their Player of the Year in the 2009-10 season.
He then proceeded to join Stoke City where he again impressed until he joined Sevilla, winning the Europa League and finishing 7th with the club.
He has made it clear he sees his future elsewhere but the Spanish team are set on keeping him at the club, at least until the end of the current contract.