West Ham are pushing to finalise the centre-back signing of Chelsea man

West Ham United are trying to tie up a deal for Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma as quickly as possible. As per reports, £25.8m is the verbal fee agreed on by both London clubs with a deal far from complete with personal terms not met yet.

Chelsea are looking to fund a deal for France and Sevilla defender, Jules Koundé. The prolonged negotiations for the player has been no secret and since coming to light, Chelsea have supposedly been looking to offload Kurt Zouma and others to help fund the Koundé transfer.

The fee is apparently fine for the East Londoners and West Londoners but because of Zouma wanting a significant salary increase, the deal has stalled in the meantime. The Frenchman currently earns a reported £46k-per-week and wants a preferred salary of £125k-per-week.

"Chelsea and West Ham United have reached a verbal agreement for the transfer of Kurt Zouma, The Athleticunderstands.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. (Via: theathletic.com)"

Zouma, since returning from a horrific ACL knee injury back in 2016 against Manchester United, has found his way back into the Blues first team but now must seek regular first-team football elsewhere away from Stamford Bridge.

The 26-year-old was a constant figure in both Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel’s side, making 24 appearances for the Blues last season and scored five goals for them. The Hammers are looking for younger personal with most of their centre-backs on the other side of 30 years old, barring one.

With Zouma in at the London Stadium, Issa Diop who is the one young defender could find his best form again. Both are French and both are young.

All English Premier League

West Ham United’s done deals

Joined the club [4 players]

Thierry Nevers [Reading]
Pierre Ekwah Elimby [Chelsea]
Armstrong Oko-Flex [Celtic] Free
Alphonse Areola [PSG] Loan

Left the club [11 players]

Oladapo Afolayan [Bolton]
Fabian Balbuena [released]
Sean Adarkwa [released]
Olatunji Akinola [released]
Samuel Caiger [released]
Alfie Lewis [released]
Joshua Okotcha [released]
Joseph Anang [released]
Felipe Anderson [Lazio]
Nathan Trott [Nancy]
Frederik Alves [Sunderland]