WEST HAM captain Kurt Zouma is on the brink of a shock transfer to a club in Dubai.
The defender, who has a year remaining on his deal at the London Stadium, looks set to join Shabab Al-Ahli.
Zouma will leave West Ham for free, with the Dubai side covering the final 12 months of his wages.
A deal is expected in the next couple of days according to David Ornstein of The Athletic.
He is set to undergo a medical this week.
Zouma became West Ham’s captain last season following Declan Rice’s move to Arsenal.
Zouma has historically struggled with injury for West Ham but played 33 times for them in the Premier League last season.
He registered three goals in those appearances.
Zouma’s shock departure is said to have been caused by a need for West Ham to trim their wage bill.
The Hammers have made six signings this summer – including the signature of Wolves centre-back Maximilian Kilman for £40million, who will likely be Zouma’s replacement.
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The expected transfer would bring Zouma’s ten year spell in England to an end after he moved to Chelsea from St.Etienne in 2014.
He won two Premier Leagues, a Champions League and a League Cup during his time with the Blues – which was interspersed with loan moves to Stoke and Everton.
After moving permanently to West Ham in 2021, he won the Europa Conference League with the Hammers in 2023.
Zouma’s exit comes as West Ham are rumoured to have turned their attention to Kieran Trippier as they look to strengthen at right-back.
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Chelsea are reportedly in talks with Napoli over the sale of Romelu Lukakau while Victor Osimhen could be going the other way on loan.
Conor Gallagher is set to join Atletico Madrid in a deal worth £34million.
West Ham are reportedly close to completing a deal for Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Man City keeper Ederson revealed everything is still open regarding his future amid intense Saudi Arabia links.
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