Arsenal
Aston Villa
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Everton
Fulham
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester United
Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Transfers
Liverpool scout ‘incredible’ defender who could replace Virgil van Dijk with Aston Villa and Wolves also keen
Nantes defender Nathan Zeze is emerging as a target for multiple Premier League clubs with Chelsea, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Wolves among those to have scouted the teenager in Ligue 1 action this season.
- Exclusive from Graeme Bailey
France’s top flight has long been viewed as a fertile breeding ground for t♐he game’s most talented young central defenders.
And, after the likes of William Saliba, Jules Kounde, Leny Yoro and Wesley Fofana secured big-money moves on back of impressing across the Channel, Nantᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚes’ Nathan Zeze co🦩uld soon be boarding the next cab off the Ligue 1 rank.
TBR understands that Premier League giants Chelsea and Liverpool have both been in attendance to watch Zeze in the f🔯les🔜h in recent weeks.
Aston Villa, Notting🔯ham Forest, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Fulham have also scouted the towering 19-year-old since🌜 the new campaign got underway in August.
Liverpool and Chelsea scout Nantes’ Nathan Zeze
Zeze, standing at 6ft 3ins, has started six of Nante��s’ eight league games so💞 far in 2024/25.
The Canaries have only won twice thus far, though they concede only ꦚone goal per game on average with the former Fraಌnce Under 18 international in Antoine Kombouare’s XI.
Zezeℱ was outstanding during the 1-1 draw with Nice last weekend. His tally of six successful tackles was the second-highest made by any player in a Ligue 1 g🏅ame this season.
A natural left-footer, 🧸Zeze will appeal to a host of clubs who are in the market to add a southpaw to their defensive ranks.
Liverpool have been scouring the market for a potential long-term Virgil van Dijk replacement for over a year now, David Hancko, Levi Colwill, Piero Hincapie and Micky van de Ven – Arne Slot tried to sign the Tottenh⛎am defender at AZ Alkmaar, interestingly – all having registered on🎃 The 🥀Reds’ radar back in 2023.
Aston Villa and Wolves also in race for Ligue 1 starlet
Whether Aston Villa step up their interest may depend on whether Tyrone Mings can rediscover his best form after a long spell out injured. Mings was back on the bench as Aston Villa beat Bologna 2-0 in the Champions League thiꦉs week.
Wolves, meanwhile, are yet to repla♔ce Max Kilman following the former captain’s summer switch to West Ham. Wolves, who have already signed one young Nantes defender in Bastien Meupiyou, also lost Yerson Mosquera to a long-term injury of his own.
Nott🐷ingham Forest and Fulham are also in the mix, potentially viewi💦ng Zeze as back-up to Murillo or Calvin Bassey at the City Ground and Craven Cottage respectfully.
say that Nante🍨s are likel🅷y to demand around £17 million for Zeze.
The Nantes-born academy graduate is on Mikel Arteta’s wishlist too. TBR understands that Arsenal are𒅌 looking at Zeze after opening themselves up to offers for Jakub Kiwior in the New Year.
The London giants are looking at a number of talented young centre-halves on both sides of the Atlantic. Vitor Reis of Palmeiras🤪 is another under consideration by Arsenal, with the Brazilian’s agent admitting this week that a sale is ‘inevit🦩able’ in the near f��uture.