West Ham United defender Kurt Zouma has regressed badly over the past year or so, and his decline has been painful to witness.
Kurt Zouma joined West Ham United from our London rivals Chelsea back in the summer of 2021 for around £30 million.
But despite an incredibly successful first two years at the London Stadium, his time with the Hammers could now be coming to an end.
The 29-year-old is apparently in talks with a club out in Dubai about a summer move out to the Middle East.
Looking back on it now, it’s little wonder why David Sullivan tried to pull out of the deal to sign Zouma after his medical results came in, before his eventual move to the London Stadium.
The 6ft 3in centre-back’s knees have clearly failed him, and merely jogging around the pitch now seems like a big struggle for him.
A simple ball over the top is all that’s needed to bypass Zouma now, and that is not a situation that Lopetegui will be prepared to have exploited this season.
The Spaniard has already signed Max Kilman, but at least one more top-class central defensive reinforcement is required.
However, for the Hammers head coach to bring in another centre-back this summer, he will have to move one on first.
Zouma is seemingly the man who will be sacrificed, and now a new update has been provided regarding his potential exit.
Kurt Zouma update puts cherry on the cake for West Ham
Big change is happening at the London Stadium this summer when it comes to the playing staff, that much is certain.
And Zouma is one player who is feeling the full force of Lopetegui’s ruthlessness.
It’s no surprise really is it. He was terrible for us last term, and that form has carried on into the pre-season campaign this summer.
The Frenchman is being heavily linked with the West Ham exit door, and now some more light has been shed on his potential transfer away from the club.
Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has provided a new update on the Frenchman’s current situation.
Sheth said, “West Ham United defender Kurt Zouma expected to have a medical with UAE club Shabab Al-Ahli in the next 24-48 hours after a deal was agreed. Zouma had entered the final year of his contract at West Ham.“
The fact that he’s set to undergo a medical ahead of his proposed move to Shabab Al-Ahli is very good news indeed.
We just have to keep our fingers crossed that he passes it!
Now, if Zouma does leave West Ham this summer, even if we don’t receive a transfer fee, it will be very good news indeed.
It’s hard to say that, because he was undoubtedly a great player for us for two years, but there is no room for sentiment in elite level sport.
The former Chelsea defender has dropped off so badly over the past 12 months that he has become a liability – one who is always targeted by the opposition.
Kurt Zouma will be remembered fondly on the most part by West Ham fans, but if he stays on any longer at the London Stadium, his reputation will be badly tarnished.
Getting his £125k-a-week wages off the books this summer will be crucial to Lopetegui’s plans going forward.
And it seems like it won’t be long before Zouma is on his way.
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