Kurt Zouma &#8211; CaughtOffside

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“Could Zouma and Mavropanos play together, I suppose is the question? Are they a bit too similar? We’ll see. He’s going to get minutes at some point this season.

“So, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if he’s brought in before long.”

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Exclusive: West Ham defensive stalwart latest amidst December decision on Maguire

Jason Pettigrove — Sat, 21 Oct 2023 09:49:22 +0000

The next few months could be crucial for West Ham’s aspirations in 2023/24.

The Hammers have started off the campaign as they ended the last and are currently well placed in both the Premier League and the Europa League.

With the January transfer window open for business in just over two months time, some studious recruitment by Tim Steidten, David Sullivan and David Moyes could really see the east Londoners push on in the second half of the season.

Just how far they do go will arguably depend on whether they’re able to keep hold of their best players, and there is some good news for Hammers fans regarding their captain.

‘There’s nothing imminent regarding (Kurt) Zouma,’ Fabrizio Romano wrote in his exclusive Daily Briefing column.

‘Saudi clubs are always enquiring about opportunities but nothing concrete at the moment and West Ham also haven’t been approached by any Saudi club.’

Whether or not Zouma does end up being approached and, as a result, tempted by the riches on offer in the Saudi Pro League, Man United’s Harry Maguire does remain a person of interest to the Irons.

‘For Harry Maguire, the decision will be made around December but for sure at West Ham they always appreciated him,’ Romano added.

‘We should also remind ourselves that the Hammers invested big money on Mavropanos, so it will also depend on potential conditions of the deal.’

After progressing well in the past few years, it’ll be a real disappointment for anyone connected with the club if this is another case of one step forward and two steps back.

Their recent recruitment has been excellent, they’ve tied Jarrod Bowen down to the best years of his career, so the Hammers really need to grasp the nettle now and take things up a notch.

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Agbonlahor thinks West Ham are signing perfect Zouma replacement

Andrew Walker — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 14:15:47 +0000

Former Aston Villa attacker Gabby Agbonlahor has praised West Ham for their links to Manchester United defender Harry Maguire.

The Hammers came close to signing the England international during the summer before failed negotiations saw the Londoners narrowly miss out, leaving Maguire to effectively rot at Old Trafford.

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However, with the January transfer window now just a matter of weeks away from opening, the Hammers have once again been linked with a move for the former United skipper, and Agbonlahor thinks the 30-year-old could be the ideal replacement for Kurt Zouma; a player who is expected to be next in line for a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia’s Pro League.

“That’s one I can picture happening. I don’t know when, but I can see Kurt Zouma in Saudi Arabia. He will know players who are over there playing, and the money will be just so hard to turn down,” the ex-striker told Football Insider.

“He’s approaching his thirties now, so it wouldn’t surprise me at all to see him make that move in the near future. West Ham, then, would probably have to go back in for Maguire. It would be the perfect man-for-man replacement.”

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Big worry for David Moyes as Saudi Arabia plans to sign two key West Ham stars in January

Darren Looney — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 09:54:00 +0000

David Moyes could find himself in a tricky situation in January as the West Ham boss could be set to lose his first-choice centre-back partnership in Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd.

Both players are the subject of big-money interest from Saudi Pro League clubs, reports Football Insider, which would leave the Hammers looking to sign suitable replacements during the hardest transfer window to do so.

The duo have been Moyes’ starting pair this season having played every Premier League match together apart from one – Aguerd missed the 3-1 away win over Brighton in August due to suspension.

It would be a disaster for West Ham to lose both as the London club were already in the market for a centre-back to add to what they already have.

Saudi clubs want Aguerd and Zouma

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One player West Ham targeted this summer was Man United’s Harry Maguire, who the London club moved to sign before the England star chose to remain at Old Trafford.

The United centre-back would certainly be a suitable replacement for one of the duo that could exit, but in reality, both leaving is unlikely.

If Saudi Arabia comes with a big offer, West Ham will likely sell just one of their defenders as it would be detrimental to their season to lose both midway through. Zouma would be the most likely out of the two as he is older and has a shorter contract at the club.

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West Ham create new plan to stop player from leaving

Jason Pettigrove — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 10:58:26 +0000

With West Ham doing so well this season, the last thing that David Moyes will want is for any of his stars to consider moving on to pastures new.

The Scot masterminded an epic Europa Conference League victory over Fiorentina at the end of last season, and the Hammers have carried over their form into 2023/24.

Though they’ve been without the services of former captain, Declan Rice, after his then British transfer record deal to Arsenal, West Ham haven’t looked any weaker in games.

In fact, with a bit more luck they could’ve got a positive result in the only matches they’ve lost this season against Liverpool and Man City.

Key to their consistency has been the form of a number of players, and perhaps none more so than new holder of the armband, Kurt Zouma.

His towering presence at both ends of the pitch has helped the Hammers overcome a number of challenges so far this season, but it’s that kind of form that has apparently alerted the Saudi Pro League to the possibility of acquiring a player that only has 18 months left on his current contract.

However, it appears any interest from clubs in the Emirates is destined to end in disappointment, with Football Insider sources noting that the Hammers are preparing to offer Zouma a new deal in order to stop him from leaving the club.

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West Ham to make bid for Man United ace when window reopens

Jason Pettigrove — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 10:03:26 +0000

The wheels continue to turn in terms of transfers, even if West Ham will have to wait until January before they can launch a bid for a Man United ace’s services.

Any deals that go through early in a transfer window can only do so if the ground work has been put in during the months and weeks leading up to it, and the Hammers already appear to have got some way down the road in terms of agreeing a deal with Harry Maguire.

Though the player admitted that nothing was agreed between him and the east Londoners in the summer, ESPN are reporting that if the England international’s lack of games at Old Trafford continues over the next couple of months, then West Ham will reignite their interest.

David Moyes will be especially keen to secure Maguire’s services if reported Saudi interest in captain, Kurt Zouma, leads to a potential sale.

Though Maguire has had to withstand his fair share of abuse, it’s worth reiterating that he remains an international class defender.

It’s more a question of him not being able to fit stylistically into Erik ten Hag’s way of playing at Man United.

Given that West Ham adopt an entirely different model, there’s no reason to suggest that Maguire wouldn’t be able to slot straight into their back line if Moyes brings him in.

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Exclusive: ‘Important’ West Ham ace set for contract talks

Jason Pettigrove — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 07:09:03 +0000

So far so good for David Moyes and his West Ham side in 2023/24, and more good news could be just around the corner.

The Hammers have been playing some sparkling stuff this season and with one or two potential new additions in January to strengthen certain positions, there’s no reason why more cup success should be beyond them.

Having recently tied down talisman, Jarrod Bowen, to a new long-term contract, it appears that the east Londoners are ready to open talks for another important member of their first-team playing staff.

‘West Ham have contract talks scheduled with Kurt Zouma, so discussions will take place in the next weeks or months and we will see how it goes,’ Fabrizio Romano wrote in his exclusive Daily Briefing column.

‘He is the club captain and an important player for the Hammers, and guys at the moment honestly, there are no concrete negotiations with other clubs.’

Zouma has certainly proved to be a capable holder of the armband in the wake of Declan Rice’s departure from the club.

The former Chelsea man was in the news not so long ago for his cat-kicking antics, though he appears to have put that behind him to fully focus on his work.

A superb marshal of his back four, Zouma’s leadership capabilities speak for themselves, and it’s vital if West Ham want to progress that they secure their experienced stars as quickly as practicable.

So often London’s ‘sleeping giant,’ the Irons are, belatedly, starting to awaken, and if they can continue with their current form David Moyes could well be dancing down the touchline again soon.

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West Ham have set their asking price for 28-year-old key star

Saikat Chatterjee — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 06:15:40 +0000

West Ham United defender Kurt Zouma has been linked with a move away from the club in recent weeks.

A report from Football Insider claims that the Hammers could be open to cashing in on the player if an offer of around £25-30 million is presented.

The 28-year-old central defender is an important first-team player for David Moyes, and it remains to be seen whether West Ham can find a suitable destination for him.

Zouma has a contract with West Ham until the summer of 2025. West Ham will need to bring in a quality replacement if they decide to sell the Frenchman.

It is fair to assume that West Ham will not want to let the player leave in January unless an attractive offer is presented. They will not want to weaken their squad midway through the season. The Hammers are fighting across multiple competitions and they will look to do well in the UEFA Europa League. They managed to win the UEFA Europa Conference League last season.

LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 20: Kurt Zouma of West Ham United. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)

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Previously, West Ham have been linked with the number of players who could come in as a replacement for Zouma. The opportunity to join the London club could be an exciting option for most players and it will be interesting to see if the Hammers manage to sell the 28-year-old and replace him adequately in the coming months.

Meanwhile, Zouma has proven himself in the Premier League and he is certainly good enough to play at a high level.

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West Ham lining up duo to replace important star should he leave in January

Darren Looney — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 18:39:29 +0000

West Ham could consider allowing their captain Kurt Zouma to move to Saudi Arabia in January should a big offer arrive at their doorstep and the London club already have two replacements lined up.

According to 90min, Man United’s Harry Maguire and Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba are the two names David Moyes wants to be brought to the club should his captain leave but it could be hard to sign either one mid-season.

The Hammers saw a move for the England star fall through this summer as they could not reach personal terms with the centre-back, despite a £30m fee being agreed.

This will only occur though if Zouma leaves and as of now, Middle Eastern clubs are interested in signing the defender in January as talks over a new deal have stalled at the London Stadium.

The Frenchman has played every minute of the Premier League season so far for West Ham and have helped the club to their best start to a season since 2015/16 as well as continuing their excellent form in Europe.

It would be a big loss for Moyes should he go but it is clear they have adequate replacements lined up.

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