Arsenal and AS Roma are serious suitors for Steven N’Zonzi, who is looking more and more likely to leave Sevilla this window, according to reports in Spain.

Monday’s AS claims Arsenal and Roma are the two most serious clubs when it comes to a move for N’Zonzi. The player himself is still away on vacation after the World Cup, but Sevilla are currently working under the assumption that his transfer is unavoidable upon his return to the training pitches.

Nonetheless, they continue to point any interested parties to the Frenchman’s €40m (£35.6m) release clause. For now, neither Arsenal nor Roma have shown any willingness to pay that amount.

N’Zonzi had an impressive year at club level, despite disruptions due to his off-field issues with Sevilla’s previous manager. His performances finally earned him a debut for his country in November, and he went on to make five appearances in France’s World Cup winning campaign.

That trophy was the second of his career, after the Europa League win in 2015/16, under Unai Emery.

Perhaps the idea of reuniting with the man who brought N’Zonzi his only club honour appeals to him, but it looks like Arsenal would have to really pay up to make that happen.

With Matteo Guendouzi impressing, Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira to return and a number of other central midfielders fighting for places at Arsenal, the money would be better spent elsewhere.