Arsenal have reportedly reignited their interest in French midfielder Steven Nzonzi, who is currently on loan at Ligue 1 outfit Rennes from AS Roma.
According to a report from French publication Foot Mercato, Premier League giants Arsenal are ready to rekindle their interest in AS Roma midfielder Steven Nzonzi amid uncertainties over his contract situation.
The 32-year-old Nzonzi is currently out on loan at Ligue 1 outfit Stade Rennais, having joined them in January last year on an eighteen-month deal. Since arriving at the club, the French international has grown into a key player, helping them to a third-place finish last term and the fifth spot in the table in the 2020/21 campaign.
Nzonzi has featured 22 times across all competitions for Rennes this term, scoring and assisting one goal apiece. But, the 2018 FIFA World Cup winners’ time in Brittany may be cut short by Roma, who are considering bringing him back to Italy in order to offload him on a permanent basis.
This is because Nzonzi’s contract with the Giallorossi runs out in the summer of 2022. As a result, the France international is in the last eighteen months of his deal and the Serie A giants want to get a sizeable transfer fee for him, having paid a significant fee to secure his services from Sevilla back in 2018.
Rennes are said to be open to signing him on a permanent basis, but Nzonzi is also attracting interest from the Premier League, with Arsenal and Everton monitoring his situation. This is not the first time that the Gunners have been linked with a move for the 32-year-old and they might consider a swoop for him this month.
Arsenal bolstered their midfield in the summer with Thomas Partey arriving from Atletico Madrid. However, the Ghanaian has endured an injury-riddled season so far. Mohamed Elneny and Granit Xhaka have blown hot and cold while on-loan midfielder Dani Ceballos has failed to impress, amid uncertainties over his future at the club.
The Gunners have been linked with a move for Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Yves Bissouma as well, who is believed to be open to a January transfer to the Emirates. Nzonzi, though, could be a cheaper and a more experienced alternative for Mikel Arteta’s side.
The report adds that Nzonzi has some reservations about joining Rennes on a permanent basis, as he is aware of the interest from the Premier League. It, however, remains to be seen if Arsenal do act on their interest in the 32-year-old Frenchman or pursue other targets.
