West Ham United in concrete talks to sign colossus Nathan Zeze as well as Jean-Clair Todibo
West Ham are in negotiations with Nantes over signing Nathan Zeze as well as Jean-Clair Todibo, Sport Italia reports.
According to the outlet’s website on 9 August that there is a strong interest in the teenager from within the Premier League but it is the Irons who have come forward in a “concrete” way.
The French club want €30million [£25.7m] for Zeze but are said to be willing to negotiate, with Serie A champions Inter an unlikely exit route for him.
According to Foot Mercato on 8 August Nantes have been impressed with the six foot two “colossus” due to his maturity and athleticism, and have rejected a €15m [£12.9m] offer from the San Siro.
Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth reported on 9 August that Todibo had completed his Hammers medical and was now due to be announced.
West Ham to offload Kurt Zouma, Nayef Aguerd could follow
Once Todibo is in that might prove to be enough for one window at centre-back after Max Kilman also arrives from Wolves.
But the summer is proving to be more and more fruitful in the transfer market and with one Frenchman replacing another as Kurt Zouma heads to Shabab Al-Ahli [The Athletic, 8 August] there is still the possibility that Nayef Aguerd leaves as well.
The Moroccan has been subject to talks with Atletico Madrid and was wanted by Lille [Foot Mercato, 21 July], while there is also interest in Saudi Arabia [Sky Sports, 5 July].
Angelo Ogbonna has already gone after his contract expired so there is certainly a logic to bringing in a talented youngster to develop behind the big-name senior arrivals.
It remains to be seen how much of a budget remains for this summer but with the Todibo deal a loan-to-buy with the free pushed back a year that might allow for another signing.
Right-back remains the last unresolved priority but after days of negotiations it looks like Aaron Wan-Bissaka might finally be nearing success [Fabrizio Romano, 9 August].
After that a Zeze signing and potentially further activity at striker is arguably all that might be necessary before the deadline after strong recent work from Tim Steidten.
In other West Ham news, the Irons have been offered another target after he dumped his agent over a collapsed deal.
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