West Ham considering Duje Caleta-Car should Zouma move fall through
West Ham United will consider a move for Marseille centre-back Duje Caleta-Car if a deal for Kurt Zouma fails, according to Express journalist Ryan Taylor.
Agreeing personal terms with the Chelsea centre-back has been tricky, and there have been conflicting reports within the last 24 hours over the Hammers’ chances of getting a deal over the line.
Should landing the 26-year-old Frenchman prove abortive, West Ham have some contingency plans in place, with the 24-year-old Croatian a priority on their list of plan Bs.
The Express journalist posted on his personal Twitter account last night: “Kurt Zouma’s proposed move to West Ham now reportedly on the brink of collapse.
“Marseille centre-back Duje Caleta-Car is one of the other options under consideration.
“He wants European football and could be available for around £14m.”
Perfect
Zouma wants to increase his wages and become West Ham’s highest-paid player to seal a move to the London Stadium [The Athletic], and it appears that has proven to be a huge stumbling block.
Both clubs have already agreed to a deal, and it is now up to the player to decide what he wants.
Zouma has to prove that he deserves what he is demanding, and it would not be particularly surprising if this deal falls through.
David Moyes understandably wants someone with Premier League experience and capable of walking straight into his starting XI, and the France international fits the bill.
However, the Irons boss may have to settle for Caleta-Car.
The youngster has the quality and is available for almost half of the £26million [The Athletic] Chelsea want for Zouma.
He will not be asking for mammoth wages from the look of things, and he definitely has everything it takes to improve the Hammers at the back.
Getting a deal done for the Marseille star could end up being a bargain, and it would not cause a lot of stress as the one for his Chelsea counterpart has proven.
In other West Ham news, int’l ace wants Hammers to sign him before August 31 deadline.
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