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Chelsea transfer news: Kurt Zouma to Everton loan move WILL go through - reports
CHELSEA defender Kurt Zouma is expected to complete his loan move to Everton this morning - although the transfer window closed at 5pm yesterday.
The Frenchman is awaiting the approval of the Premier League to officially make the move.
Everton made a last-minute approach to bring in the centre-back shortly before the window’s cut-off point, submitting a deal sheet just in time.
Doing so gave the Toffees two extra hours to hand in the rest of the required paperwork to the Premier League in order to meet regulations.
The lack of any announcement over the transfer last night sparked suggestions the deal would fall through.
And Everton are still waiting to find out whether Zouma will be allowed to become their seventh summer signing or not.
But according to ESPN reporter Liam Twomey - closely connected to Chelsea - there are no indications that the deal won’t be authorised by the FA today.
He tweeted: “Zouma to Everton on loan not confirmed yet, but there’s no suggestion of an issue. The impression I’ve been given is it’s simply a delay in processing the paperwork.”
In a separate tweet he added: “I’m led to believe two deals are still in the process of being ratified, of which Zouma is one.”
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Zouma spent last season on loan at Stoke City and made 34 appearances as the Potters were relegated from the Premier League.
That allowed the former Saint-Etienne man, who cost around £12million in January 2014, to work his way back to full fitness with his career having stalled after a nine-month spell out injured with a severe knee issue.
Zouma remains under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2023 after penning a six-year deal before joining Stoke last summer and it is not yet known whether or not Everton will have the option to make the move permanent if he joins.
He is set to become Everton’s fourth signing in the last two days following a busy deadline day in which the Toffees brought in Barcelona duo Yerry Mina for around £27m and Andre Gomes on a season-long loan.
Brazilian forward Bernard, previously linked with Chelsea and West Ham, also joins on a free transfer. That follows the arrivals of Lucas Digne and Richardson, with Everton’s summer spend coming in at just under £100m if add-ons are met.
Chelsea were less busy yesterday but confirmed Mateo Kovacic’s arrival on a season-long loan from Real Madrid.
The Blues do not have an option to buy the Croatian, whose arrival follows Thibaut Courtois’ £35m switch to the European champions.
To replace the Belgian, Chelsea spent a world-record fee on a goalkeeper of £72m to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Bilbao.
Maurizio Sarri also spent £57m on Jorginho earlier on in the window with Rob Green coming in as goalkeeping back-up on a free.