West Ham United’s captain, Kurt Zouma, is set to make a move to the United Arab Emirates Pro League side, Shabab Al Ahli, as reported by The Athletic.
The French center-back will be making this transition on a free transfer, with Shabab Al Ahli covering the remaining wages. A medical examination is scheduled in the near future for the 29-year-old before the deal is finalized.
Zouma had taken over the captaincy duties at West Ham last season after Declan Rice’s departure to Arsenal, but has faced challenges in maintaining consistency.
His departure will provide West Ham with the opportunity to reduce their wage bill, after already adding six new players during the summer transfer window.
This move marks the end of Zouma’s impressive decade-long career in English football, highlighted by two Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy, and a League Cup during his time with Chelsea. Additionally, his loan spells with Stoke City and Everton were instrumental in his growth before joining West Ham permanently in 2021.
With Zouma’s departure, West Ham will focus on reinforcing their defense. They have recently acquired Max Kilman and are now seeking a partner for him to fortify their backline, which conceded 74 goals last season.
Among their top targets is French international Jean-Clair Todibo, with negotiations ongoing with OGC Nice amid stiff competition from Juventus. While Juventus can offer Champions League football, West Ham remains determined to secure Todibo’s signature.
In the event that Todibo’s signing does not materialize, West Ham still has promising options in their sights. Free agent Mats Hummels, formerly of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, presents a wise choice. Additionally, Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah, a talented homegrown player, is available and could provide stability in defense for years to come.
