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St Etienne 'fear' huge bid for Man Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool target Kurt Zouma
SAINT-ETIENNE maintain that they are under no financial pressure to part with prodigious defender Kurt Zouma but fear they would not be able to withstand a large offer for the player in January.
Zouma has been heavily linked with a move to England with Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool all keen on the 18-year-old French international.
Reports in France suggest that although Juventus, Bayer Leverkusen and Monaco are also keen on the youngster, it is United who remain the most determined to bring Zouma to Old Trafford and are prepared to make a substantial offer in the near future.
Recent speculation suggested that Zouma could be available for as little as £7m but Les Verts insist they are under no pressure to sell having seen Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Josuha Guilavogui depart for substantial fees over the summer.
According to Le10Sport Saint-Etienne are publicly determined to hold onto Zouma, who signed a new contract with the club in February 2013, but the club fear that they may not be able to resist a sizeable offer in January.
Zouma has always expressed his affection for Saint-Etienne, and comments made in the wake of signing his new contract suggest that he is in no hurry to move.
He said: "This extension is a great vote of confidence in me from the club.
"St Etienne means a lot to me because it is where I was developed.
"This is a new step in my career. I still need to learn. I will also gain experience and I know that will help me to grow."