West Ham United are one of the many clubs that will be starting the season with new manager. Julen Lopetegui has taken the charge of hammers after the departure of David Moyes. The Spanish manager has already been making crucial moves in the transfer market. The London based club have already completed two signings and are reported to sign even more. However, they look weaker on the financial side. To spend more they need to first earn more and hence are preparing to offload some of their star players. However Kurt Zouma who is captain of Hammers seems in no hurry to leave London. This could cause some noticable troubles for both club and player.
West Ham approaching transfer market with a positive approach
Julen Lopetegui has been very busy since he took over from David Moyes. The Spanish manager has also made changes in the West Ham staff and brought in Xavi Valero. The London club have already completed two signings. They have signed Luis Guilherme and Wes Foderingham. Hammers are now looking to bring in two more defenders along with one striker.
West Ham have already submitted bids for Max Kilman. However Wolves have rejected the bids as they don’t want to part ways with the defender. If Kilman arrives, he is expected to be new captain of Julen Lopetegui’s side. Julen Lopetegui has already worked with Kilman and the defender was a regular starter for the Spaniard. Kilman played all of the 38 Premier League matches for Wolves last season.
Hammers revealed that they will only be able to spend another £51.5 million this summer before the further sales. This has caused a disappointment amongst the fans. Nayef Aguerd is desperate to move away from West Ham, while the club wants to sell Zouma too.
Zouma’s time at West Ham
West Ham desperately want to sell Kurt Zouma as they are in need of money before spending further. However, Zouma is reported not to be in rush to leave London. The 29 year old signed for West Ham from Chelsea in 2021. Hammers spent £29.8 million for Zouma and offered him a four year contract. However, last year the club wanted to part ways with him. Hammers received decent offers for the French international but the player was not interested at all to move away from Premier League side. In 2023/24, Zouma was given captain’s armband. However, this decision from club received a lot of criticism. Zouma made 33 Premier League appearances in the recent season and even scored three goals for the club.
Hammers desperate to part ways with Zouma
Before handing Zouma captain’s armband, West Ham wanted to part ways with him last year. The London club even received decent offers from Saudi sides. However Zouma was not interested and turned the offers down. Zouma’s current contract expires next year. West Ham will not want to let him go as a free agent as they have already spent a lot on him. On top of £29.8 million transfer fee, the French international earns £125k per week. Selling him will bring a huge relief to Hammers ans even make their way to sign Max Kilman a lot easier.
Journalist Graeme Bailey recently spoke about Zouma’s situation with West Ham. Bailey told Hammers News, Zouma rejected the move to Saudi club last season which came as a big shock for Hammers. However the club moved on and have now again placed Zouma on tranfer list. According to Bailey, Saudi side even offered wage rise to Zouma. He also believes that Zouma is in no hurry to leave London and may do the same again in this market. Zouma’s decision will put West Ham’s plans in danger along with making the relationship between club and player even more bitter than it already is.
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