Stuart Pearce predicts West Ham United sale after Max Kilman deal done
Stuart Pearce has suggested that Kurt Zouma could be facing the exit door at West Ham after the signing of Max Kilman from Wolves.
The Englishman reunited with Julen Lopetegui at the London Stadium in a deal worth £40 million [The Telegraph, 6 July].
This deal could potentially see Hammers captain Zouma depart this summer having been linked to being part of a swap deal with Nice for Jean-Claire Todibo [Graeme Bailey].
Former West Ham coach, Pearce, has suggested, while on talkSPORT as transcribed by HITC (9 July), that the deal to sign Kilman could force the Frenchman out.
He said: “It will be interesting to see. I don’t know what the future of Kurt Zouma will be. Whether him [Kilman] arriving would signal players out.”
Kurt Zouma shown West Ham exit door
Since signing from Chelsea in 2021, the 29-year-old was one of the Hammers’ most consistent players under David Moyes.
This saw him named captain of the club while featuring alongside various teammates including Nayef Aguerd, Konstantinos Mavrapanos and Nayef Aguerd.
After the signing of Kilman was confirmed, Lopetegui’s attentions turned to potentially signing Todibo from Nice amid Premier League interest.
This points towards the Spaniard being potentially unhappy with the centre-back options that he has at his disposal at the London Stadium.
Kilman is a typically left-sided defender which makes him a unique option in the squad and a new partner may be being looked at by Tim Steidten.
There is no doubt that Todibo would represent an excellent piece of business for the Hammers but could be a risk at the expense of Zouma.
To sell the current club captain, who boasts a wealth of experience, could be detrimental for Lopetegui’s squad ahead of his first season in charge.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers are understood to be considering a new approach for Jonathan David after the Copa America
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