West Ham have deal ‘in place’ to sign Kurt Zouma transfer alternative
Tuchel comments on Zouma's Chelsea future amid West Ham links
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West Ham have a deal ‘in place’ to sign an alternative defender if they fail to land Kurt Zouma, according to reports. West Ham have reportedly agreed a fee of around £25.7million with Chelsea to sign Zouma. However, the Frenchman’s wage demands are an issue.
The Athletic claims Zouma wants to earn £125,000 a week at West Ham.
That would immediately make him the best-paid player at the London Stadium.
The Irons are debating whether they will give in to the 26-year-old’s demands.
Transfer expert and talkSPORT host Jim White has given a further update on West Ham’s business.
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He says there is up to £45m for David Moyes to spend before next Tuesday’s deadline.
And there is an unnamed player the club will sign if the deal for Zouma falls through.
White said: “This is where I understand where West Ham are at right now.
“How much is available to spend in the remainder of the window? Between £40m and £45m is available to spend.
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“Why didn’t they try for Tammy Abraham? He was too expensive. A fee of £36m, but then the small matter of £160,000-a-week.
“What is the latest with Kurt Zouma? Yes, they are trying to get him and have been talking.
“A deal is in place between the two clubs, Chelsea and West Ham, for £30m but his personal terms is a stumbling block.
“There is a plan B in place for a defender and everything is in place for that to happen.”
Meanwhile, former Tottenham striker Darren Bent does not think Zouma deserves to demand the wages he is.
“Listen, it might [upset the West Ham players],” Bent said on talkSPORT.
“I get it’s a premium, he’s coming from Chelsea so that’s why he’s trying to command them kind of figures.
“But at the same time I don’t think he’s earned the right in terms of performances on the pitch.
“You look at some of the superstars from last season – [Michail] Antonio, Thomas Soucek, Declan Rice, Craig Dawson, one to 11.
“If he comes in and says ‘I want to be the highest-paid player’, if I’m one of the other players in the dressing room, I’m kind of asking the question ‘well why?’.
“I know he’s coming from Chelsea but I wouldn’t say his performances over the last couple of seasons have seen him deserved to be the highest-paid player at West Ham.”
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