West Ham defender Kurt Zouma’s transfer to United Arab Emirates Pro League club Shabab Al-Ahli is in peril because of a failed medical, according to reports.
The 29-year-old had travelled to Dubai to complete a deal described as “lucrative” by BBC Sport, which said Zouma’s advisors are trying to arrange an “alternative option”.
Zouma, who has a year left on his contract, has been replaced as captain by fellow centre-back Max Kilman, who signed from Wolves for £40 million in July.
The Hammers will also be bargaining on Zouma’s departure following the arrival of another player in his position, Jean-Clair Todibo, from Nice on a season-long loan that includes a £34.2m obligation to buy the 24-year-old.
BREAKING: West Ham United remain in talks with Shabab Al-Ahli over Kurt Zouma, however, his medical tests highlighted an issue 🚨 pic.twitter.com/cI9aEE3DgN
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 12, 2024
Zouma stats
Former Saint-Etienne player Zouma joined West Ham from Chelsea for £29.8m in August 2021.
The two-time Premier League and 2020-21 Uefa Champions League winner has made 103 appearances for West Ham.
Zouma started the 2023 Europa Conference League final, in which the club won their first European trophy for 58 years.
He was ever-present in the Premier League last season with the exception of four absences through injury and one as an unused substitute.
West Ham used Zouma throughout their knockout-stage campaign in the Europa League, which ended in a quarter-final defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.
France manager Didier Deschamps handed Zouma the first of his international caps as a 20-year-old in 2013, making his 11th and most recent senior Bleus appearance in 2021.
Kurt HAPPY Zouma 😃 pic.twitter.com/hIwkCHgX2T
— West Ham United (@WestHam) November 25, 2023
West Ham transfer news
West Ham have spent more than £100m since Julen Lopetegui succeeded David Moyes in July.
Todibo and Kilman have been joined by Germany striker Niclas Fullkrug from Borussia Dortmund, midfielder Luis Guilherme from Palmeiras, Dutch forward Crysencio Summerville from Leeds and Argentina midfielder Guido Rodriguez on a free transfer as their new arrivals.
Moyes secured a ninth-placed finish in his final season, winning one of his last eight matches in all competitions. West Ham’s Premier League campaign starts at home to Aston Villa on Saturday (5.30pm).
