“Everton’s DESPERATE Bid for French Defensive SUPERSTAR: Can They Scramble a WHOPPING £33.6M in Time?!”
Everton Set to Reinforce Entire Squad as New Era Begins Post-Goodison Park
Everton are preparing for a significant overhaul as they transition into their new home at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and changes on the pitch are expected to be just as dramatic.
The Toffees need reinforcements across multiple areas, especially with several contracts nearing expiration.
Among the potential departures is veteran defender Michael Keane.
Manager David Moyes has reportedly identified a promising replacement in 19-year-old Nathan Zeze, a centre-back currently playing for Ligue 1 club FC Nantes.
Zeze has made an impressive start to his professional career, amassing 35 senior appearances over the past two seasons.
His performances have not gone unnoticed, attracting interest from clubs such as Aston Villa, RB Leipzig, Inter Milan, and FC Como.
Everton, too, are monitoring the situation closely, with French outlet Ouest France (May 20, page 19) reporting their strong interest.
Bournemouth have already submitted a verbal bid of approximately £16.8 million for Zeze.
However, Nantes’ financial struggles — with a need to generate around £33.6 million in player sales this summer — mean the defender could be available for a lower fee if a deal is done quickly.
For Everton, bringing in a young and talented defender like Zeze aligns perfectly with their rebuilding strategy.
While Jarrad Branthwaite represents a key part of the club’s defensive future, both Keane and James Tarkowski are in their thirties, highlighting the need for fresh legs at the back.
Zeze could be an ideal blend of long-term potential and immediate impact.
Known for his physical presence and excellent tackling ability, the young Frenchman already matches the aerial prowess of Tarkowski and is considered among the best in Europe in his position, according to FBRef statistics.
Although competition for Zeze’s signature is fierce, Everton might hold a key advantage. Unlike bigger clubs such as Milan or Villa, they could offer Zeze regular first-team football, which might be a decisive factor in the teenager’s next move.
