West Ham United want to sign Harry Maguire or Edmond Tapsoba to replace Kurt Zouma as Saudi transfer mooted
West Ham could consider allowing Kurt Zouma to move to Saudi Arabia in January as they eye Harry Maguire and Edmond Tapsoba as replacements, report 90min.
Writing on their official website (12 October), the news outlet report that the Middle East clubs are interested in signing Zouma in January as talks over a new deal have stalled at the London Stadium.
And Tim Steidten is keeping an eye on Leverkusen defender Tapsoba as well as Manchester United star Maguire as replacements, with the door for Zouma’s exit not completely closed.
“90min further understands that West Ham remain interested in signing Manchester United’s Harry Maguire – a proposed move to London Stadium fell through despite a £30m fee being agreed – and technical director Tim Steidten is also keeping a close eye on other players he’s familiar with – Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba for one,” they wrote.
“That could lead to West Ham considering offers for Zouma, who joins an extensive list of Premier League players targeted for a move to the Middle East. N’Golo Kante, Jordan Henderson, Riyad Mahrez, Ruben Neves and Aleksandar Mitrovic were some of the headline names to head to Saudi in the summer, and it’s expected the country’s four PIF-backed teams will look to add more talent to their ranks when the window opens.”
Blow
Zouma has been the best central defender at the club for a few years now, and his importance was proven by David Moyes when he was rather surprisingly handed the captain’s armband after Declan Rice left for Arsenal.
So far he has played every minute of the Premier League season this year, and has helped the club to their best start to a season since 2015/16 as well as continuing their excellent form in Europe.
At 28 he is right in the prime of his career and he has been through plenty of ups and downs during his time here, with injuries as well as off-field incidents which the club have stuck beside him through.
But this could be the last chance for him to make an absolute killing elsewhere and with 18 months remaining on his deal (plus the option of a further 12 months) it could be the last time the Hammers have the chance to really cash in.
It will be interesting to watch this develop, especially with the club’s interest in Maguire and Tapsoba, so if a deal for one of those becomes more doable in January then it could spell the end of Zouma’s time in east London.
In other West Ham news, Hammers stance shared on future of first-team trio.