Back in April, Claret & Hugh ran a story claiming that Kurt Zouma was surplus to requirements at West Ham and that the club would look to offload the defender this summer.
However, the truth of the matter is that the Hammers decided not to renew Zouma’s contract as far back as 2023, when the clubās top source revealed as much to Hughie on this very site. Speaking in October, a West Ham insider informed us that the Frenchman’s knees had deteriorated, and thatās when it became common knowledge on the football grapevine that Zouma was available for transfer.
Despite West Ham and Zouma looking for a buying club for the best part of 10 months, none have been found. There is frequent talk of Saudi clubs bidding for the Irons captain, but one would assume any interested parties would have come forward by now.
The truth is that nothing has changed; Zouma remains a huge financial burden to West Ham and therefore a massive risk to any buying clubs. Realistically, any potential suitors would have to waive a medical and, as a result, register the Frenchman without insurance. So realistically, the best that the former Chelsea man can hope for is a short deal with the majority of the wage structured as a ‘pay-as-you-play’ deal.
Personally, I hope weāre not banking on removing Zouma’s wages from West Ham’s wage bill, as it could be tricky.
If you pay up his contract you probably looking 10 million
If we can sell for minimal amount. we save his wages
and put it towards another center back he holds the cards he can sit back train like the pro he is and get 10 million for basically training š¤£ but either way it will cost us money
HES LOOKING AT A NEW JOB, MANAGER AT THE CAT SANCTUARY.
Zouma,needs a big thank you from us all,clearly it is to be seen once again that ā you can pick your friends and pick you nose but you canāt pick your friends nose,union is all and a brotherhood forges out of the crusted ashes of Zoumas bogies
Things like this happen in football and the remaining contract amounts just part of business. This isnāt just Kurt damaging his knees further in games, training (even if it is reduced) cannot be helping his long term health. One would hope that in situations like this a player would step up and talk about negotiating a settlement, but no doubt thereās an agent involved trying to make as much money out of this as they can. Should Kurt even have a squad place? Could he play a role coming on in the last ten minutes as an additional holding player if we are ahead? What we do know is that if he plays other teams will target his weakness.
Has been a very good player but now has the pace of a tortoise with an artificial leg.
We will be blessed to find a buyer
Parting company is the right thing to do. Aside from fitness, we’ll be appointing a new captain and drawing a line under the previous era.
It’s unfortunate, but I don’t feel especially sorry for him. The club stood by him when, arguably, they shouldn’t have done. He’s a professional who has been earning / will earn a lot of money from his career.
Is there an injury retirement option on insurance?
He might be useful as weāre due an injury crisis and he cant get injured now as heās already injured and hence wont move around much to get injured. Bet heād still be better than Mavro and Kilman were with crosses into the box. Just domt expect much more than Frankenstein like agility on the floor
West Ham’s finances are none of our business.There’s no really point in us discussing them!! What anyone thinks won’t influence the club’s transfer strategy. To try and guess the situation and then comment on it, only adds to the toxicity that these postings have already created..
100% agree
Given how bad his legs have got I canāt see any club wanting to sign him I would think the best option would be to negotiate a settlement fee with zouma and let him retire from the game he has been a great signing for us but now heās become a liability and that needs to be addressed
Limbo?
I’d like to see him try!
Brilliant!
I wouldnāt be surprised to see the club buy him out of the remaining year of his contract before the window closes, probably once they have another CB signed.
Sad to see his decline and wish him all the best for the future.