West Ham United ‘ready to listen to offers’ for Kurt Zouma amid Tosin Adarabioyo transfer news
West Ham are reportedly “ready to listen to offers” for club captain Kurt Zouma, according to talkSPORT.
The radio station reported on 10 April that the Hammers already have their eye on a replacement – Fulham’s Tosin Adarabioyo, who is out of contract at the end of the season and will be available on a free transfer this summer.
Zouma’s significant wages, in conjunction with diminishing performances – potentially linked to his recurring knee issues – have seemingly made him an expendable figure at West Ham, should an appropriate offer arrive.
Fellow centre-half Nayef Aguerd is also thought to be a player the Hammers would field offers for as they plan a summer overhaul of the squad.
West Ham would be upgrading if they swap Kurt Zouma for Tosin Adarabioyo
West Ham’s desire to upgrade on their skipper Zouma is one that makes sense at this juncture.
The Frenchman turns 30 in October and will have just one year remaining on his contract come the end of this campaign.
That age bracket is by no means terminal, particularly in the modern game, with developments in sports science and particularly for a central defender – but it does appear that, nonetheless, Zouma’s powers are on the wane.
The knee injury he suffered in November 2022 that kept him out for around three months does appear to have had an effect on the centre-back, with the issue flaring up again in October and November last year.
With performances not what they once were and his fitness difficult to predict as he enters his thirties, it is understandable that West Ham would consider selling rather than extending his contract.
That decision begins to look particularly savvy in the context of the potential arrival of Adarabioyo on a free transfer. The Fulham defender, 26, has been a virtual ever-present since returning from a groin problem in December and boasts a wealth of Premier League experience, making him a low-risk signing.
Should West Ham pull it off, they will be stronger for the swap.
In other West Ham news, David Moyes has issued an injury update ahead of the Hammers’ Europa League clash with Bayer Leverkusen.
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