Barcelona casting an eye at Sevilla star Steven Nzonzi – Reports

Barcelona are planning to raid Sevilla for their central midfielder, Steven Nzonzi. The 29-year-old is set to move out of Sanchez Pizjuan after winning the World Cup with Les Blues. According to sources from 90min, he has requested the higher authorities of the club for a transfer away from Sevilla.

Prior to his move to Los Hispalenses, Nzonzi played for Stoke City, Blackburn Rovers and Amiens. He is widely compared with Patrick Vieira for his positional brilliance, work rate and passing ability.

One of the main reasons for his supposed departure could be due to his rough relationship with the club, after he fell out with Eduardo Berizzo for partying before their Copa Del Rey final.

Ernesto Valverde is looking to bring Adrien Rabiot from PSG to the Catalan club. Should the move fail to materialize, they will shift their focus to the Sevilla midfielder, who is currently regarded as plan ‘B’.

However, a two-horse race is expected to unfold as Nzonzi’s former boss, Unai Emery, is planning a £20 million swoop for him. Amidst a squad expansion, Arsenal have shortlisted the World Cup winner as their prime target. He still has two years left on his contract, with a release clause of just over £43 million.

Barcelona would be more than happy to trigger his clause, just as they have done before for the signing of former Sevilla man – Clement Lenglet. They can be considered as frontrunners in this race because the Gunners haven’t yet met the asking price. Also, the North London club wouldn’t probably want another player who will reach his 30s soon after having signed a good number of veterans in this transfer window.   

Either club will have to accelerate their approach and initiate further talks in order to sign Nzonzi. He still has a good three-four years ahead of him and would be a good bid for Barcelona if they fail to land Rabiot to the Nou Camp.