---
title: "Virals: ExWHUemployee clarifies West Ham stance in defender search"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2021/08/04/virals-exwhuemployee-clarifies-west-ham-stance-in-defender-search/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2021-08-04T16:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-08-04T16:00:00Z"
---

# Virals: ExWHUemployee clarifies West Ham stance in defender search

[West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2021/08/03/virals-noel-whelan-tips-west-ham-to-sign-powerful-kurt-zouma/) are desperately attempting to sign an additional central defender before the new Premier League campaign begins.

Following the departure of Fabian Balbuena as a free agent and with Angelo Ogbonna [currently sidelined](https://www.football.london/west-ham-united-fc/news/west-ham-angelo-ogbonna-injury-21173297), the Hammers are light in the defensive department.

Linked with all and sundry to fill the void, David Moyes would [appear to be closing in](https://twitter.com/Transferzone00/status/1422819713722191878) on a select few options.

Reliable club inside [ExWHUemployee](https://www.patreon.com/en-GB/home-en) has taken to [Twitter](https://twitter.com/ExWHUemployee/status/1422821398783959044) this morning to clarify the situation surrounding Kurt Zouma and [Nikola Milenkovic](https://readwestham.com/2021/08/03/virals-west-ham-in-pole-position-to-sign-nikola-milenkovic/).

> Twitter: Just to clarify because I don’t think I am being quoted accurately again: I said talks with Zouma got closer on per… https://t.co/AEtRzGtlQw (@ExWHUemployee)

This comes after it was [reported](https://www.westhamzone.com/news/west-ham-closer-to-personal-terms-agreement-with-kurt-zouma/) the Irons were edging towards a move or the 26-year-old Frenchman – with West Ham and Chelsea seemingly £5million apart on price.

Any deal for Serbia and Fiorentina ace Milenkovic would likely come cheaper as the 23-year-old enters the [final 12 months of a deal](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nikola-milenkovic/profil/spieler/413507) in Italy.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

Signing a central defender is certainly high on the list of priorities this summer having [failed to land James Tarkowski](https://talksport.com/football/760981/james-tarkowski-west-ham-third-final-bid-burnley-rejected/) previously.

Despite eventually [completing the capture of Craig Dawson](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11685/12102754/craig-dawson-west-ham-sign-watford-defender-on-season-long-loan) on a loan deal before making the move permanent, additional resources are certainly required as Moyes plans for a Europa League adventure.

Ex’s update would suggest the Irons have at least whittled the list of targets down and either [Zouma or Milenkovic](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/vergleich/spielervergleich/statistik/def/spieler/157509&413507) could be welcome arrivals in the near future.