Transfer news

Nzonzi wants Blackburn exit

July 18, 2012
By ESPN staff

Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean has confirmed midfielder Steven Nzonzi has handed in a transfer request.

Steven N'Zonzi
GettyImagesSteven N'Zonzi signed from Blackburn for a fee of £3.5 million that could rise to £5 million

Nzonzi's future has been the subject of conjecture following Blackburn's relegation from the Premier League.

The Frenchman, 23, signed for Rovers from Amiens in 2009 for £500,000 and has since made 86 league appearances, scoring five goals, while in 2010 he inked a new five-year deal.

But speaking on Wednesday, Kean told BBC Radio Lancashire "He's asked for a transfer, hence why he never went to [the training camp in] Austria.

"He doesn't want to play for the club any longer. I had two meetings with his father and he wants to play elsewhere.

"We'll be listening to offers, but as it stands, he remains under contract and we haven't had any offers at all."

Nigerian striker Yakubu has already left the club to move to China, while Junior Hoilett is expected to depart after reaching the end of his contract.

"I think we'll lose one or two. That will be natural," Kean continued. "Yakubu called me the other day and was very thankful to the club, the staff and the fans for making his stay welcome.

"It was a nice touch. Unfortunately he's left the club because he managed to have a big impact last year.

"Junior is out of contract. We made him an incredible offer but he's decided to go and speak to other clubs.

"What we're doing is bringing in players like Nuno Gomes, Danny Murphy and Leon Best. We'll continue to try and hold on to the majority of our squad.

"It will be natural that we might lose one or two, but it won't be six or seven that we're going to be losing. We're not actively trying to move anybody on."