West Ham have issued an exciting transfer update to Hammers News as Kurt Zouma’s exit to Saudi Arabia nears.
It has always been the plan for West Ham to rip up their defence this summer.
Is it any wonder after shipping a Premier League club record 74 goals last season?
When Julen Lopetegui was appointed he and technical director Tim Steidten plotted that they would sign two new centre-backs and a right-back.
The West Ham duo also wanted a new back-up goalkeeper and – if the budget allows – ideally a new left-back too.
The latter may have to wait until a future window.
But a new central defender and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are the key priorities right now following the triple signing of Crysencio Summerville, Niclas Fullkrug and Guido Rodriguez.
A move for Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo remains on the table and is yet to be matched by Juventus – his preferred destination.
Todibo’s arrival in east London seems increasingly unlikely, though.
Oumar Solet, Mats Hummels, Trevoh Chalobah and Logan Costa are also on West Ham’s centre-back target list.
West Ham’s exciting transfer update will have fans buzzing
As Hammers News stated way back in March, West Ham need to offload some players to facilitate further transfers beyond the planned seven or eight signings.
Both Nayef Aguerd and captain Kurt Zouma are up for sale.
It was reported way back at the start of June that Lopetegui had decided he wanted to ship Zouma out of West Ham.
Zouma earns around £125k per week at West Ham. So getting that off the wage bill is key for the Hammers.
Zouma was heavily criticised over his leadership last season – including by the man who made him skipper – David Moyes.
He has been a good servant for West Ham. But the club have been extremely good to Zouma as well, standing by him during the ridiculous cat-kicking saga.
Longstanding knee issues have seen the Frenchman’s availability limited. And he has become increasingly – and visibly – immobile. That has been alarmingly clear in pre-season too.
So West Ham will be encouraged by the fact he is reportedly closing on a move to the Saudi Pro League.
Hammers News has now spoken to the top spokesman at West Ham about the club’s transfer plans should Zouma depart.
Zouma exit nears as journalist clarifies situation
Journalist Graeme Bailey has also spoken to Hammers News about the truth behind the Zouma situation.
And West Ham’s exciting transfer update will have fans buzzing as Zouma’s exit nears.
West Ham have confirmed Zouma’s departure will help facilitate further signings. And the top senior contact says the club is working hard on yet more deals.
“We need a few more signings,” a West Ham spokesman exclusively told Hammers News.
“We are trying very hard to get more deals done.”
Bailey has also confirmed the exact situation surrounding Zouma and his potential West Ham exit.
The journalist says the Hammers are frustrated they couldn’t offload Zouma last summer when they could have commanded more money. And he has revealed the fee involved this time around is ‘nominal’.
“Kurt Zouma has been a very good servant for West Ham, no doubting that – both sides have had good value, but as many West Ham fans know there are issues that means he is rarely at full fitness which is tough for any Premier League player to navigate a full season,” Bailey told Hammers News.
“I am sure West Ham are little frustrated Zouma did not take his move to Saudi last summer when they could have made some decent money back, but they are set to clear his wages which can be meaningfully used in other areas of the squad.
“Lopetegui and Steidten are putting together a very good summer and are getting together a squad which looks a marked improvement on last season.”
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