Kurt Zouma to jet out for medical as West Ham United agree nominal exit fee
West Ham defender Kurt Zouma is set to jet out for a medical ahead of a move to UAE Pro League side Shabab Al-Ahli, according to The Guardian.
The national newspaper reported [8 August] that the Frenchman has agreed a move to the UAE, with the two clubs agreeing on a “nominal” transfer fee.
The 29-year-old defender is set to leave the London Stadium after three seasons and 103 appearances at the club, having joined from Chelsea in the summer of 2021.
Kurt Zouma set for West Ham United exit
The centre-back was at the centre of a lot of criticism as David Moyes’ defence continued to ship goals throughout the 2023/24 campaign, either alongside Nayef Aguerd or Konstantinos Mavropanos.
It was expected after the Hammers splashed £40million on Wolves captain Max Kilman [BBC Sport] that Zouma would leave the London Stadium, and it looks as though that is coming to fruition.
While the 29-year-old has been trusted with the captain’s armband in recent seasons, the defender was far too mistake-ridden at the back during the last season.
Aguerd could also be a player who leaves this summer, with Atletico Madrid interested in the Moroccan’s signature [Caught Offside], which could see a dramatic overhaul of the squad in Lopetegui’s first season in charge.
Only Sheffield United conceded more Premier League goals than the Irons last season, a feat that Julen Lopetegui will be keen to avoid in his first season in London.
Of course, with the player transferring to the UAE, fans will have hoped for much more than a “nominal” transfer fee, but they will likely just be happier that he is leaving on a permanent deal.
With Lopetegui and Tim Steidten now looking at other centre-back options, Zouma’s future as a Hammer looks very slim, with an ever-growing feeling that he is destined to leave.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers are back to square one as advanced talks collapse at the London Stadium.
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