It has emerged that Everton boss Sam Allardyce tried to call-up Steven N’Zonzi for the England national team while he was manager of the Three Lions.
The Toffees are set to do battle in the race to sign N’Zonzi during the January transfer window.
The French international looks set to leave Sevilla after falling out with his manager and has not played for the club since November.
Allardyce previously signed N’Zonzi while he was manager of Blackburn Rovers. He is so fond of the player that he even tried to get him to represent England at international level.
However this could not happed, as N’Zonzi had represented France at U-21 level which made him ineligible.
Allardyce said: “We did have a call, and it would have been of interest for me. We did explore it, but it was impossible, and it’s dead now.”
Everton could have an advantage in the race to sign N’Zonzi considering that their manager shares a healthy relationship with the 29-year old.
