---
title: "Virals: West Ham ‘still hopeful’ of singing Chelsea centre-back Kurt Zouma"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2021/08/17/virals-west-ham-still-hopeful-of-singing-chelsea-centre-back-kurt-zouma/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2021-08-17T08:30:00Z"
modified: "2021-08-17T08:30:00Z"
---

# Virals: West Ham ‘still hopeful’ of singing Chelsea centre-back Kurt Zouma

[West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2021/08/17/virals-jesse-lingard-asking-price-cut-as-epl-website-predicts-loan-move/) are believed to be continuing their pursuit of Chelsea central defender [Kurt Zouma](https://readwestham.com/2021/08/11/virals-journalist-claims-west-ham-unwilling-to-meet-kurt-zouma-valuation/) this summer.

Irons’ boss David Moyes admitted over the weekend a [desire to sign a defender](https://www.football.london/west-ham-united-fc/news/david-moyes-west-ham-transfers-21317714) before the transfer window closes.

For a long time, it looked as though Fiorentina ace Nikola Milenkovic would be the [man through the door](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/west-ham-close-on-milenkovic-transfer-after-being-priced-out/1wltox1fmmfys1wp8d55i62bmh) at the London Stadium.

However, as the move for the Serbian [reportedly](https://www.90min.com/posts/west-ham-transfer-news-nikola-milenkovic-kurt-zouma-exclusive) collapsed, Zouma may have come back onto the radar.

That’s according to a report from the [Evening Standard](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/west-ham-kurt-zouma-transfer-chelsea-fc-b950964.html), as cited by [Standard Sport](https://twitter.com/standardsport/status/1427533145952358406) on Twitter, claiming the interest remains despite a major issue.

> Twitter: West Ham are still hopeful of signing Kurt Zouma as they chase a centre-back this month…
>
> …but the Chelsea man’… https://t.co/XukjqNOuep (@standardsport)

The report states that whilst the Frenchman is ‘free to leave’ Stamford Bridge, the Hammers may struggle to match the [star’s wages](https://www.spotrac.com/epl/chelsea-fc/payroll/) due to ‘operating on a limited transfer budget’ this summer.

Zouma was overlooked on Saturday as 22-year-old Trevor Chalobah made a Premier League debut against Crystal Palace whilst the [eight-times capped](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kurt-zouma/nationalmannschaft/spieler/157509/verein_id/3377) French ace watched on.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

Valued at £28.8million and under contract in west London until 2023 ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kurt-zouma/marktwertverlauf/spieler/157509)), signing the powerful defender for the mooted £25million would represent impressive value.

The Frenchman has amassed [165 Premier League appearances](https://www.premierleague.com/players/5175/Kurt-Zouma/stats) at the age of 26, proving he has the experience and quality to slot straight into Moyes’ side.

Currently, the Irons only have Craig Dawson, Issa Diop and Angelo Ogbonna as [senior central defenders](https://www.whufc.com/teams/first-team/squad) – meaning a new arrival before the end of the window is essential.

Having been previously priced out of a move for James Tarkowski previously, West Ham could [turn to Liverpool ace Nat Phillips](https://www.football365.com/news/west-ham-make-contact-with-liverpool-over-defender) should Zouma’s wages prove to be a step too far.