Kurt Zouma Chelsea
Kepa, Kovacic, Zouma, Azpilicueta Chelsea

West Ham United have been eyeing a move for Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma and according to The Athletic, the Hammers have just moved one step closer.

Moyes is really eager to bring in a new centre-back before deadline day and while West Ham have been able to convince Chelsea on a sale but agreeing on personal terms still remains the major problem for the London side.

The report claims: “Chelsea and West Ham United have reached a verbal agreement for the transfer of Kurt Zouma, The Athletic understands.

“The 26-year-old centre-back has been the subject of prolonged interest from West Ham, who are prepared to meet Chelsea’s asking price of €30 million (£25.8 million).

“The sticking point with the move, however, is the personal terms, with Zouma said by sources to be seeking a significant salary increase from what he is earning at Stamford Bridge to about £125,000 per week.”

Will West Ham United be able to sign Kurt Zouma?

Chelsea clearly have no use of Kurt Zouma so they are more than willing to cash in on him in the next few days.

And given that the defender does not want to move out of London, a move to West Ham United will be a pretty sensible decision.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kurt Zouma (@kurtzouma)


But he’s not ready to take a pay-cut to join the Hammers and if this latest report is true then there’s no way David Moyes’ side will be able to meet his current wage demands.

West Ham do have the lure of European football this season which is why they won’t be ready to give up on this but if Kurt Zouma is not ready to slash his wages then the only other option he has is to be a benchwarmer for Chelsea for the remainder of the campaign.

And given that he still has two years left on his current deal, Chelsea are in no hurry to cash in on him either.

Read: Declan Rice to join Man United in a swap deal for Jesse Lingard?