West Ham captain Kurt Zouma is in talks with Shabab Al-Ahli over a transfer that appears to be nearing completion. The player is preparing to meet with representatives of the UAE Pro League club to finalise the deal.
As reported yesterday on C&H, the Hammers’ hierarchy is willing to let Zouma go for free as long as his wages are covered. The French central defender earns £125k per week at West Ham, which would result in a significant saving of £5.8 million when taking into account the remaining time on his contract.
Hammers manager Julen Lopetegui has informed Director of Football Tim Steidten and owner David Sullivan that Zouma is not part of his plans. It is highly unlikely that the defender will play any part in Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Celta Vigo at the London Stadium, and the Frenchman is aware of his current situation at West Ham.
Zouma, who cost £30 million from Chelsea, has been an excellent servant for the club. Unfortunately, his fitness and lack of mobility have made him surplus to requirements under Lopetegui’s new regime.
A shame his knees have deteriorated as much as they have. He was an absolute beast for us at times. Wish him all the best
Good for zouma to leave west ham, where would he play if he was still at the club, I suggest up front or on the bench.
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Peak him and Ogbonna/Dawson optimised David Moyes’ side at their best. I’d argue that alone, alongside our first trophy in years has meant he’s lived up to his price tag. Cat-gate aside, I wish him well.
Where is the £30 mio hit ….his fee should have been fully amortised
Zouma was a top player for us until his knees went. Will wish him every success as he seemed to love our club and was a big character.
Hopefully we raid Chelsea again for Zouma’s replacement and sign Chalobah 🙏
He has been a great servant to the club but sadly his knees are in a terrible state.
I was lucky enough to see the team in Perth, Australia last year and one of the first things I noticed was how much he struggled to run. Wish him well in the future.
Only West Ham could sell a player to the Saudis for free
It’s UAE, not Saudi.
Should never have kicked another ball for west ham after the poor cat took one of his best kicks then was made captain bobby moore is turning in his grave close the door behind you when you go
I wish him all the best too. The sad thing is that injury begets injury. Yes he is injury prone but he got injured playing for us and he should go with our gratitude and appreciation.
It’s not a ”£30 Million hit’. On the accounts that value decreases each year of his contract. So they’re writing off, a max of £7.5M, but removing £6M from the wage bill. Best option all round as we know his knees have gone and he can’t play a high line either
How can it be a 30 million hit when he was signed?
His purchase fee will be mostly amortised.
This site used to rise above other click-bait driven Hammers fan sites. Sadly no longer.
How is it a 30mill hit ,we probably had 20 mill value out of him, stop writing rubbish
The only way it would be a £30m hit would be if we signed him last this window and let him go for free this window. Utter drivel
Karma. Kicking that poor cat has caused the damage to his knees.
That cat was a witches cat!
With the hot temperatures in Dubai even at night I do not see an issue with Zouma’s knees..the constant heat will help his knees + the pace of games is slower I wish him all the very best
Nothing like a £30 million hit at all. An absolute monster before his knees went and knows we can’t justify his wages anymore and is looking to move on. Ings on the other hand seems to want to be paid for sitting on the bench. Julian Dicks would score more goals now than Ings has managed.
Thank you Kurt, you were GREAT! GOOD LUCK!
No where as good as Bobby Moore was