Sevilla midfielder Steven N’Zonzi is reportedly training separately from his teammates amid rumours that he could be heading to Arsenal, Everton or Juventus in January.
According to Mundo Deportivo, N’Zonzi is now training away from his Sevilla teammates following his alleged row with coach, Eduardo Berizzo.
As a result, Arsenal are reportedly on alert since the 29-year-old is clearly unsettled with his current situation at the Spanish club.
Earlier in the month, N’Zonzi admitted that he wasn’t happy at Sevilla or with the manager, and made it pretty clear that he didn’t want to stay at the La Liga club. This was after Berizzo subbed him off at half-time during Sevilla’s Champions League clash against Liverpool while their side were 3-0 down and later blamed the midfielder.
“The coach pointed the finger at me [at half-time of the Liverpool game]. I will not repeat it … but his words affected me,” N’Zonzi told France Football.
“Publicly, he said in future he would only select players who fit his vision for football. What does that mean?
“Whether in a 4-3-3, 3-5-2 or any other formation, a player must adapt to what his coach demands and I have always done it.
“The fact I was always professional despite the circumstances, that I always did my job, I found it unfair.
“My future is clearly away from Seville. The only thing that disappoints me is the way it has ended.”
The France international is yet to make an appearance since the game, which took place on 21 November, and is apparently being forced to train in the gym with the injured players despite not being injured personally.
The report doesn’t sound that far out considering N’Zonzi’s outburst to France Football.
Sevilla are apparently demanding £31m for the midfielder and it’s unclear whether they’ll budge on this despite both the player and manager clearing not seeing the ex-Stoke man’s future at the club.
It’s a lot of money but Arsenal do need another man in midfield considering Grant Xhaka’s form has been poor this term and Francis Coquelin is just bad in general.