Report: Crystal Palace and Everton want £32,500-a-week workhorse likened to N'Golo Kante

By Billy Meyers

According to the Daily Mail, Everton and Crystal Palace are interested in signing Aston Villa workhorse Marvelous Nakamba.

What’s the story?

Well, both Rafa Benitez and Patrick Vieira are considering a swoop for the £11m man before the transfer window shuts.

Nakamba is a firm fan favourite at Villa Park, despite a lack of game time under Dean Smith.

He made just nine Premier League starts last season, and 13 appearances in total.

However, when he does play, he often performs. The Villans won nine of those 13 games in which Nakamba featured, proving his effectiveness.

The Daily Mail believe Aston Villa are reluctant to sell the 27-year-old, although Everton and Crystal Palace are prepared to test their resolve.

Who does Marvelous Nakamba play like?

Interestingly, Nakamba has been compared to N’Golo Kante.

You might feel it’s a lazy comparison, although it’s an apt one seeing as both players are fairly small, and charge around the pitch like excitable terriers.

It was The Football Misfit Scout who made the comparison, when writing a detailed scouting report on the Zimbabwean midfielder.

In our view, this rumour could have legs, depending on what Nakamba wants.

If the £32,500-a-week man is happy to warm the bench and be used as a utility man by Smith, then he’ll probably stay in the Midlands.

However, if he wants to push himself and feature more often, he might be inclined to push for an exit from Villa Park.

Only time will tell what happens.