West Ham United’s capture of Jean-Clair Todibo could open the door for up to three of the club’s existing centre-backs to leave the club, according to reports. 

The Hammers announced the £35m transfer of Todibo from Ligue 1 side Nice on Saturday, reportedly beating Italian giants Juventus to his signature.

Todibo is the seventh signing of what has been a very busy summer for West Ham, who have also acquired Max Kilman, Luis Guilherme, Crysencio Summerville, Niclas Fullkrug, Guido Rodriguez and Wes Foderingham as they heavily back new manager Julen Lopetegui.

However, with so many arrivals, departures will also surely follow.

Veteran defender Angelo Ogbonna has already been released, but the Italian could be joined through the London Stadium exit door by three more centre-backs as the Hammers look to purge the squad ahead of the Lopetegui era.

According to HITC, Kurt Zouma is closing in on a transfer to United Arab Emirates side Shabab Al-Ahli.

Their report also states that Nayef Aguerd and Konstantinos Mavropanos could be up for sale this summer as West Ham look to trim the fat on their wage bill.

With both Todibo and Kilman on the books, it’s hard to see the aforementioned trio getting the game time they desire but while it’s hard to see all three leaving in one window, it wouldn’t be surprising to see at least one or two sold.

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West Ham United have reportedly reached an agreement to sell Kurt Zouma to Saudi club Shabab Al-Ahli.

The Hammers captain is believed to have been made available for transfer after Julen Lopetegui informed him he does not feature in his future plans for the side.

Consequently, despite still having one year left on his contract, Zouma, 29, who has been a long-term target for clubs in the Pro League, is set to make a move.

West Ham agree to sell Kurt Zouma to Al-Ahli

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, the 29-year-old is scheduled to have a medical for Al-Ahli soon and, assuming there are no hiccups, will pen a contract and become the Dubai-based club’s first major summer signing.

Although the Hammers have agreed to sell Zouma on a free transfer, the club will save themselves over £6 million in wages. According to Spotrac, the former Chelsea centre-back earns £125,000-per week which makes him the Londoners’ second-highest earner behind Lucas Paqueta.

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During his three years with the club, Zouma, who also has 11 caps for France on his résumé, directly contributed to seven goals in 103 games in all competitions.

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Julen Lopetegui has reportedly informed Kurt Zouma he has no future at West Ham.

After starting in 32 Premier League games, the 29-year-old, who also captains the side, featured heavily last season.

However, the defender’s time in London appears to be ending with HITC recently reporting talks with clubs in Saudi Arabia’s Pro League have advanced quickly.

Kurt Zouma set for Saudi move

Although the identity of the Saudi club has not been confirmed, the Frenchman is believed to be a long-standing target for Al-Qadsiah. The Middle Eastern club attempted to sign Zouma last year but came up short after the defender refused the move.

Things look to be playing out differently this summer though with the centre-back already scheduled to have a medical.

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Former Borussia Dortmund centre-back, now free-agent, Mats Hummels, is reportedly a target for Lopetegui, and if the German gives the green light, would be expected to replace the outgoing Zouma.

During his three years at the London Stadium, Zouma, who has 12 months left on his contract, has directly contributed to seven goals in 103 games in all competitions.

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It seems clear that Jean-Clair Todibo will leave Nice this summer, but try as they might, West Ham have been unsuccessful in their attempts to sign him so far.

As Fabrizio Romano noted on his exclusive Daily Briefing for CaughtOffside, the player himself appears keen to join the Hammers, but the French club have rebuffed all offers.

Still no agreement for Jean-Clair Todibo and West Ham

That includes a willingness from the East Londoners to include Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd plus cash for the French international, per Foot Mercato.

It isn’t clear how much further Tim Steidten will go in order to land the player for Julen Lopetegui, and with other clubs seemingly interested in Todibo’s services, the Hammers are going to have to be lightning fast if they want to get any deal over the line.

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Given just how well Todibo has played for the Ligue Un side of late, bringing him to the London Stadium would be a real coup.

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West Ham United’s new manager Julen Lopetegui reportedly wants to sell Kurt Zouma this summer as he doesn’t have a great deal of trust in the player and experienced leader he’s inheriting from David Moyes.

That’s according to a report from Team Talk, who state that the Hammers are prepared to cash in on Zouma this summer as he heads into the final year of his contract at the London Stadium.

The Frenchman has mostly been a pretty solid and reliable player at West Ham, and he also had promising moments at times during his spell at former club Chelsea, so one imagines there’ll be a lot of interest in him this summer.

Team Talk add that it could generally be a major clear-out at West Ham under new manager Lopetegui, so this surprise story might not be the last of this kind that we hear this summer.

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It remains to be seen who might come in for Zouma this summer, and how much money West Ham might look for for the 29-year-old, but this certainly seems like a story to keep an eye on in the weeks ahead.

Lopetegui’s desire to change things won’t come as too much of a surprise, but at the same time he might want to avoid doing too much too fast in case it unsettles his squad and undoes some of the good work done by his predecessor.

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West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui is ready to make his mark at the London Stadium by showing the exit door to players he feels are surplus to requirements.

The new manager is ready to be backed in the transfer window by the club owners as they aim to build on their top half finish in the Premier League.

A number of West Ham players have been linked with a move away from club including Nayef Aguerd, Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen.

However, defender Kurt Zouma is now the likeliest of them all to leave the club in the summer transfer window.

According to Football Insider, the Hammers are willing to let the defender leave the club if they can get a significant offer for the the former Chelsea defender.

The centre-back has attracted interest from the Saudi Pro League and his time at the club could come to an end soon.

The club will not push the player out though, since he is the captain of the team.

West Ham are looking to sign new defenders in the summer and that could prove to be a huge concern for Zouma’s place in the starting line up.

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The defender could be benched next season or have his playing time decrease with the arrival of new players.

Zouma has been the captain of the team since the departure of Declan Rice to Arsenal last summer.

Kurt Zouma’s time at West Ham could end soon

He was trusted by former manager David Moyes, who started him in 38 games last season.

The defender’s contract is set to expire at the end of next season which means he can start talks with potential clubs in January.

With that in mind, the Hammers are looking to resolve his future soon and they are waiting to receive an appealing offer for the French defender.

Brazilian centre-back Fabricio Bruno could become the latest addition in the West Ham United squad this summer and his arrival could be bad news for Zouma.

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In a surprising development, West Ham United have informed their captain and central defender Kurt Zouma that he is free to find a new club this summer.

According to sources reported by Football Insider, the 29-year-old Frenchman has struggled with the physical demands of playing more than once per week throughout the recently concluded 2023/24 campaign.

Zouma’s journey with West Ham United began in 2021 when he signed a four-year deal worth £29.8 million, joining from Chelsea. Over the past three seasons, he has been a consistent presence in the team under manager David Moyes, starting 38 games in the 2023/24 season, 29 in 2022/23, and 32 in 2021/22.

Following Declan Rice’s departure last summer, Zouma was made captain, highlighting his importance to the squad.

Despite his integral role, the rigours of competing in the Europa League alongside domestic league and cup matches have taken a toll on Zouma. His inability to consistently perform under such a heavy workload has led the club to explore other defensive options under their new manager Julen Lopetegui.

West Ham United prepared to make plenty of defensive changes this summer

This strategic move comes as the Hammers are reportedly close to securing the signing of Brazilian defender Fabricio Bruno, a deal that would facilitate Zouma’s exit.

Financial considerations also play a significant role in this decision. Zouma is currently one of the club’s highest earners, with a weekly salary of £125,000, per Daily Mail. By offloading his wages, West Ham hope to reinvest those funds into other areas of the squad to improve their overall competitiveness.

The club’s transfer activity does not stop with Bruno. The Hammers are also eyeing Burnley defender Maxime Esteve to further bolster their defensive lineup after a challenging season. Additionally, the Guardian reports that Moroccan international Nayef Aguerd has been placed on the transfer list following a difficult campaign, indicating a broader defensive reshuffle at the club.

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Julen Lopetegui has a tough job on his hands when he arrives at West Ham next season and one big decision the Spanish coach will need to make is who will lead his team throughout the 2024/25 campaign. 

This season has been an up-and-down one for the Hammers and it has resulted in David Moyes departing after the final match on Sunday.

One problem West Ham fans have felt throughout this term has been a lack of leadership in their squad with their former captain Declan Rice having left the London club last summer for Arsenal.

Kurt Zouma took over that role and that was always a questionable choice from Moyes.

The defender has not had a good campaign at the London Stadium as he has led a defence that has shipped 71 goals and counting this season – the most West Ham have ever conceded in the Premier League.

This is an issue Lopetegui will need to fix if the Hammers are to progress as a club and deciding on a new captain will be one of the first ports of call the former Wolves boss when he arrives.

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Julen Lopetegui could pick James Ward-Prowse as new West Ham captain

According to The Athletic‘s Roshane Thomas, James Ward-Prowse is very much in the mix to be the next West Ham captain.

Should Lopetegui settle on the midfielder, he will disappoint two of his players as Zouma will lose the role and Jarrod Bowen would have been hopeful of securing the armband.

Ward-Prowse would be a great option given his experience in the Premier League and it would be a decision West Ham fans would accept as the Englishman has been solid since moving to the club.

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West Ham are reportedly prepared to welcome offers for club captain and defender Kurt Zouma.

The Hammers’ skipper is set to be one of the first big names to depart the London Stadium this summer as David Moyes prepares for a squad overhaul.

Likely to trigger a mass exodus, Zouma’s proposed departure will offer the club a financial boost as he’s one of their highest earners.

West Ham transfer news: Kurt Zouma exit expected

Consequently, according to a recent report from talkSPORT, the Londoners are ready to sanction the Frenchman’s sale ahead of his contract expiring next year.

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Likely to be a transfer target again for clubs in Saudi Arabia’s wealthy Pro League, Zouma, 29, could be in store for a lucrative deal as he approaches the latter stages of his career.

However, given his status in the Premier League, as well as his experience, which also includes a Champions League-winner’s medal from his days with Chelsea, it wouldn’t be a surprise if teams in Europe expressed an interest too.

Since joining the Hammers from their blue London rivals in 2021, Zouma has contributed to seven goals in 96 appearances in all competitions.

Tosin Adarabioyo the perfect replacement?

Nevertheless, while the Hammers prepare for their captain’s potential exit, Fulham’s Tosin Adarabioyo is a player linked with filling the void.

The 26-year-old Manchester-born centre-back, who will be out of contract in a couple of months, is seen as a genuine option to replace Zouma in the heart of Moyes’ defence.

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According to TalkSPORT, via Claret & Hugh, West Ham United are contemplating whether or not to sell Kurt Zouma this summer.

The French centre-back has been involved regularly for the Hammers this season, starting 27 Premier League games, adding three goals and only recording three clean sheets.

Should Kurt Zouma decide to leave West Ham United, the club seems to have already identified a capable replacement in Tosin Adarabioyo from Fulham. Adarabioyo’s potential acquisition on a free transfer offers an economically savvy solution, especially considering Zouma’s substantial weekly wages of £125,000.

The reported contrast in earnings between Zouma and Adarabioyo, with the latter purportedly earning £47,000 per week, highlights the financial prudence and strategic planning evident in West Ham’s transfer approach.

Adarabioyo’s proven abilities as a centre-back make him an attractive option for the club as they seek to maintain defensive stability and continue their upward trajectory in the Premier League.

Is Kurt Zouma’s time at West Ham coming to an end?

After an impressive tenure of 151 appearances and ten goals for Chelsea, Kurt Zouma made the move eastward within the capital to join West Ham United for a reported fee of £29.8 million.

Securing a four-year contract with the Hammers, Zouma’s arrival was marked by his appointment as club captain following Declan Rice’s departure.

His experience and defensive prowess have been instrumental in bolstering West Ham’s backline, providing leadership and stability on the field. However, his time at the London Stadium could be coming to an end.

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