West Ham United are expected to complete the £25 million signing of Chelsea and France defender Kurt Zouma.
According to reports, West Ham are set to bring David Moyes’s prime target to the club following a medical in Paris – where he is currently on compassionate leave – on Thursday.
The results of that medical will be assessed by West Ham before the move is confirmed.
And claims from The Mirror this afternoon are that there may be an issue with that medical regarding a knee problem – which had originally been flagged by West Ham insiders Claret and Hugh.
Moyes makes Zouma call with Blues defender set to become Hammers’ current highest earner
While some were reporting that Zouma would be on around £80k per week at West Ham, insiders Claret and Hugh correctly claimed all along that the 26-year-old would in fact become the club’s current highest earner on £120k per week should he sign.
Despite Moyes’s brilliant recruitment record since being handed full control of transfers at West Ham, some fans have cast doubt over Zouma’s quality.
It seems Thomas Tuchel also had similar doubts at Chelsea.
Some fans doubt Zouma’s defensive abilities and Tuchel clearly agrees
When the German arrived at Stamford Bridge following Frank Lampard’s sacking he dropped Zouma who had been enjoying one of his longest spells in the Chelsea side and had notched five goals in 22 appearances.
Tuchel has now elected to sell Zouma to West Ham with a view to replacing him with compatriot and France teammate Jules Kounde.
West Ham fans always give players a fair chance. And with Zouma it will be no different – providing the deal gets over the line.
Humble pie for those doubting Zouma as brilliant statistics are revealed
But there may be some humble pie on the way for a minority of supporters who might be writing Zouma off.
That’s after football data analysis experts WhoScored – formerly Opta – revealed that West Ham’s expected new signing was one of the top rated centre-backs in the Premier League last season.
“From starts alone, Kurt Zouma was our highest rated centre-back in the Premier League last season (7.15) of players to start 20+ matches,” WhoScored posted on Twitter alongside a Hammers emoji.
“West Ham going from strength to strength having agreed a £25m move for the Frenchman.”
Perhaps those statistics highlight just why Moyes has been so keen to get Zouma signed.
In other news, The way Luis Enrique announced Spain call-up for Pablo Fornals was simply magic.
And West Ham face Man United double header just days after first Europa game.