Arsenal Transfer News: €40M Steven Nzonzi Fee Queried in Latest Rumours

Arsenal are reportedly attempting to negotiate a reduced fee for Sevilla's Steven Nzonzi, who has a €40 million (£35.7 million) release clause in his contract. 

According to France Football (h/t the Mirror's Jacob Murtagh), the Gunners are in talks with the Spanish club over the midfielder, who is a long-time target for the Premier League side. 

Nzonzi, 29, has been at Sevilla for the last three seasons, the first of which was spent playing under new Arsenal head coach Unai Emery.

He made five appearances for France as they won the 2018 FIFA World Cup, including a 35-minute showing from the bench in Les Bleus' 4-2 final defeat of Croatia.

Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Arsenal have already been busy in the transfer market this summer following Emery's appointment as Arsene Wenger's successor.

They have brought in goalkeeper Bernd Leno, defenders Stephan Lichtsteiner and Sokratis Papastathopoulos, and midfielders Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi.

In the process, they have spent around £70 million.

It was previously reported Emery would have only a £50 million transfer budget, per Matt Law in the Telegraph.

It is not a huge surprise then that Arsenal are looking to negotiate Nzonzi's fee down.

However, Sevilla will have to be receptive to the idea as the Frenchman's current contract runs to 2020.