West Ham plot £20m Kurt Zouma transfer and could land Chelsea defender ahead of Sevilla as he wants Premier League stay
WEST HAM have opened talks with Chelsea over Kurt Zouma – but the Blues have offered him to Sevilla in part-exchange for Jules Kounde.
Zouma is keen to stay in the Premier League as Chelsea reportedly duel Manchester United for £68million-rated, fellow France centre-back Kounde,
The Hammers have indicated they are prepared to pay £20million for eight-cap Zouma, 26.
But the Blues want nearer £30m for the former St-Etienne star, who has won two Prem titles, the Champions League, three FA Cups and the League Cup in his seven years at Stamford Bridge.
Zouyma, though, has slipped down the defensive pecking order after Thomas Tuchel arrived as boss in January.
Just 13 of his 150 Chelsea appearances have come since the former Paris Saint-Germain boss succeeded Frank Lampard.
Meanwhile, West Ham boss David Moyes has made his first senior signing of the summer, PSG keeper Alphonse Areola.
The 28-year-old, who has won three France caps, has joined on loan with the option of a permanent deal next summer if he proves himself as number one at the London Stadium.
Moyes had been on the look-out for a top level stopper, with 36-year-old Lukasz Fabianski now only having one year left on his deal.
And he swooped for Areola after he impressed on loan for Fulham last season, despite their relegation.
Moyes plumped for the Parisian instead of pushing ahead with interest in West Brom’s England star Sam Johnstone, preferring to save his money to strengthen his squad in other areas.
He said: “As we prepare for a very busy schedule, he will provide fantastic competition for the goalkeepers already at the football club and we are going to need to use our squad to ensure compete to the best of our abilities across all competitions.
“We have been aware of his qualities for a long time and we have no doubt he will be another player and character who will enhance our squad.”
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The Hammers’ transfer priority is a recognised striker,with Michael Antonio their only out-and-out option.
Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham is one possibility but Moyes has made it clear they are not able to compete for his signature unless his £40million valuation comes down.
The Hammers’ squad, which finished sixth last season, is still weakened because England midfielder Jesse Lingard has returned to Manchester United.
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