West Ham United look set to sign Kurt Zouma imminently but he won’t join up with the Hammers for a few weeks yet.
According to widespread reports, West Ham are set to complete the £25 million signing of the France international from Chelsea.
Zouma had a West Ham medical in Paris – where he is currently on compassionate leave – on Thursday.
West Ham look set to sign Zouma imminently
And barring any last minute hitches should move across London having been David Moyes’s prime West Ham defensive target all summer.
West Ham were facing a race against time to get Zouma signed and registered before 12pm on Friday if Moyes wanted him available for the London derby with Crystal Palace on Saturday.
But West Ham insider ExWHUemployee claims the 26-year-old centre-back may not join the Hammers squad until after the September international break.
Defender may not link up Hammers until after the international break if he joins but could take number four shirt
But when he does, Zouma is expected to take the vacant number four shirt.
“Should Zouma sign (which he is looking very close to doing so) it is thought (although not 100 per cent confirmed) that he will remain in France anyway rather than come back for the Palace game because he has been selected for the French national team…” ExWHUemployee said on The West Ham Way Patreon site.
“I also think should he sign (with no concrete evidence) he will take the vacant number 4 shirt which is available and also a shirt he wore in his early days in France.”
Attentions then turn to attack
With the deal looking all but official now, Moyes will surely turn his attentions to signing a forward or an attacking midfielder like Jesse Lingard who can also operate as a second striker.
Speculation has been rife that Lingard could now return to West Ham having looked set to remain a squad player at Man United.
West Ham have also been linked with French striker Gaetan Laborde (GFFN).
In other news, West Ham could be set for double raid on Chelsea.
And Sky Sports Zouma update points out something that will make West Ham an even bigger force.