Premier League champions may move for central defender at the turn of the year.
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Ligue 1 outfit St Stienne fear they may not be able to resist any big-money offers for coveted young defender Kurt Zouma when the winter transfer window opens again for business in the new year, according to reports in the Daily Express.
The in-demand France Under-21 international has been closely monitored by a whole host of big-name clubs from across the Continent of late, with the likes of Serie A champions Juventus, Bundesliga high-flyers Bayer Leverkusen and mega-rich Ligue 1 side Monaco all reportedly keen on signing Zouma.
However, it is understood that the most amount of interest in the promising 18-year-old is coming from the Premier League, with top-flight giants such as Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United all known to be desperate to land Zouma, although it is believed that it is the Red Devils who are leading the chase for the Frenchman’s signature currently.
Kouma did, though, put pen to paper on a new contract with les Verts last February that ties the central defender to the club until June 30 2017, and with St Etienne having just sold both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Josuha Guilavogui for substantial fees during the summer transfer window, the club is said to be under no pressure whatsoever to sell their star man in January.
Meanwhile, the player himself says he is happy in France: “This extension is a great vote of confidence in me from the club.
“St Etienne means a lot to me because it is where I was developed.
“This is a new step in my career. I still need to learn. I will also gain experience and I know that will help me to grow.”