Everton could withdraw from Kurt Zouma's discussions and turn to other transfer targets

Everton could pull out of Kurt Zouma's signing discussions in the coming days and pursue other goals.

The Blues want to sign a permanent contract with the Chelsea defender after being loaned last season, but the transfer ban imposed by the Stamford Bridge club complicates things.

Everton has until 8 am on August 8 to complete its transfer business, though Silva wants to have its full team in place by the end of the month.

Zouma is back in the London squad for pre-season training and is heading to Japan this week before the Kawasaki Frontale and Barcelona matches.

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard also expressed his desire to see Zouma stay in the club for the coming season.

Everton needs to strengthen in the middle of the field. Marco Silva, questioned about the need to stop Zouma's pursuit, said: "You are right, you are right.

"Of course, one of the most important things for me, since the end of the season, is keeping our level.

"It's very, very good for us to be able to do that with Andre and our most important players so far, because it was not just Andre and Kurt.

"The most important players of our team are always present in our club, the 15 or 16 most played players are always there until then, with the exception of Kurt.

"Let's see what we can do in this situation."

Zouma was a deadline arrived last August, but Silva said that Everton was not able to let their interest go on for so long this time around.

"It's not an easy situation, we are working on other solutions because we can not wait until the last week or the last day to take a player," he said.

"We will see in the coming days and next week whether it will be possible or not, otherwise we have to move to other solutions that I have in mind."