Transfer News: Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma may not join West Ham United
According to transfer news from Sky Sports, West Ham United are finding it difficult to push through a move for Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma due to the finances involved.
The 26-year-old Zouma has been with Chelsea for seven years now but has never quite been able to nail down a starting berth for himself. Things looked promising for him under Frank Lampard, but the Frenchman once again dropped down the pecking order and became an afterthought under Thomas Tuchel.
With Chelsea pushing to sign Jules Kounde, talks about Zouma’s future have been rife with speculation. In fact, the Blues were keen on using the 26-year-old as part of the deal to sign his compatriot from Sevilla, but the defender prefers to stay in London. (h/t Sky Sports)
West Ham were ready to offer him that, with the east London giants making Zouma their priority defensive target this summer. However, a move might fall through as the Hammers are unwilling to match the Chelsea star’s £25m valuation, while his wages would also prove problematic.
In fact, David Moyes & co. are already said to working on other options, with Fiorentina’s Nikola Milenkovic emerging as an alternative. Where that leaves Zouma and Chelsea remains to be seen. (h/t Sky Sports)
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Zouma, as per the report, would be happy to stay at Chelsea and see out his contract, which runs till 2022, in case a move to West Ham does not materialise. The Blues, for their part, will push for Kounde’s signing irrespective of whether Zouma stays or leaves.
However, considering the number of options already available at the manager’s disposal, offloading at least one before moving for Kounde would be more sensible.