Zouma flattered by Chelsea talk; Mbokani to Kiev

AS Saint-Etienne defender Kurt Zouma has revealed he is flattered by reports linking him with a summer move to UEFA Europa League champions Chelsea, Sky Sports understands.

Zouma, 18, has also been linked with the likes of AC Milan, FC Anzhi Makhachkala, Manchester United and UEFA Champions League winners Bayern Munich in recent times.

The highly-rated 18-year-old centre-back, who is currently representing France at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Turkey, is currently rated at £10 million by ASSE.

“If you hear of interest from Chelsea and a great manager such as Jose Mourinho, you take notice,” said Zouma.

“It makes you happy, and it means you are on the right way to the top.

“I am relaxed about all the fuss about me being linked with big clubs, at the moment my focus is on the Under-20 World Cup. We have to try to win that with our generation of good young players.”

Zouma, one of Les Bleus’ hottest prospects, scored two goals in 23 appearances in all competitions for Saint-Etienne last season.

Mbokani to Kiev

DR Congo international striker Dieumerci Mbokani, 27, is set to join Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kiev from R.S.C. Anderlecht this summer after throwing in the towel on a potential dream move to the English Premier League, according to Sky Sports.

According to reports, Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion were keen on the Congolese hitman, but neither club were willing to meet the asking price — believed to be in the region of €10 million — of the Jupiler Pro League side.

Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku, who spent last season on loan at West Brom, told Mbokani to join the Baggies this summer, but the impatience of the latter has led to a move to Kiev instead.

Mbokani, who was initially unwilling to move to Ukraine, is delighted with his move to the NSC Olimpiyskiy.

“I am delighted, it is another adventure and one I am excited about,” said Mbokani.

“I am coming here to improve and score as many goals as I can. Kiev are a huge club in this part of the world and a big name in Europe.

“My ambition was to go to England but the teams interested were not ready to meet the demands of my club.

“Kiev have shown that they want me more than anything, so that is why I decided to come here.”

The former AS Monaco, Standard Liège and VfL Wolfsburg striker bagged 27 goals in 38 competitive appearances for Anderlecht in 2012-13, adding five goals in nine appearances for DR Congo.