Sevilla are looking to sign Taulant Xhaka from FC Basel, in preparation for the possibility that they lose Steven N’Zonzi to Arsenal, according to reports.

Albanian outlet Bota Sot write that Sevilla are planning to bring in Taulant Xhaka or Sporting CP’s Rodrigo Battaglia to replace N’Zonzi, if the French international ends up leaving for Arsenal this summer.

The rumours of a possible Arsenal move for N’Zonzi are growing, with The Times the latest English outlet to claim that the club are in talks over the midfielder’s signature.

Meanwhile, the Spanish media are starting to act as if a return to Sevilla after the World Cup is extremely unlikely for N’Zonzi. There seems to be a feeling in Spain that he’s already burned his bridges, despite the Sevilla hierarchy insisting they haven’t received a formal offer just yet.

Right now, N’Zonzi is away with France at the World Cup, and he’ll remain in Russia until next weekend. Even if his country lose to Belgium in the semi-final, they’ll still have to stick around until Saturday’s third place play-off is over. If they win, the final is on Sunday.

Arsenal can put in a bid to Sevilla whenever they feel like it, but we might have to wait until N’Zonzi’s return for any more serious movement in the deal.