West Ham United captain Kurt Zouma is reportedly on the verge of completing a permanent move to UAE outfit Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai.
The 29-year-old centre-back joined the Hammers from Chelsea for close to £30m in 2021 and has since made 103 appearances for the club across all competitions.
Zouma was a key part of the West Ham side that triumphed in the Europa Conference League final in 2023, before being named captain of the Hammers following the departure of Declan Rice to Arsenal last summer.
The decision to hand the armband to Zouma was considered a controversial one in the eyes of many as the Frenchman was ordered to serve 180 hours of community service after pleading guilty to kicking and slapping his cat in 2022.
Zouma was a first-team regular for West Ham in David Moyes's final season in charge of the club, making 33 Premier League appearances and scoring three goals as the East London club finished the campaign in ninth place.
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Zouma on verge of joining Shabab Al-Ahli on free transfer
However, Zouma's three-year spell at West Ham and 10-year stay in England now appears to be coming to an end, as multiple reports, including one from The Athletic, claim that Shabab Al-Ahli have agreed a deal with the Hammers to sign the defender.
It is understood that Zouma, who has entered the final year of his contract at the London Stadium, will join on a free transfer with the Dubai-based outfit covering the final 12 months of his wages.
The Frenchman is expected to undergo his medical within the next 24 to 48 hours ahead of finalising his transfer to Shabab Al-Ahli.
Zouma's departure will see West Ham's centre-back options reduced to three, with new £40m arrival Max Kilman set to battle for regular starts with Konstantinos Mavropanos and Nayef Aguerd.
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Who could West Ham sign to replace Zouma?
The addition of a new central defender is thought to be high on the agenda for new head coach Julen Lopetegui who has already enjoyed a busy summer transfer window, with Kilman being one of six new signings along with Luis Guilherme, Wes Foderingham, Crysensio Summerville, Niclas Fullkrug and Guido Rodriguez.
Recent reports have credited West Ham with an interest in experienced centre-back Mats Hummels, who is currently a free agent after leaving Borussia Dortmund at the end of June.
The Hammers have also been linked with Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah, who has allegedly been added to Crystal Palace's list of targets and is free to leave Stamford Bridge for around £25m.
Last month, West Ham agreed deal with Nice to sign in-demand defender Jean-Clair Todibo, but there is an acceptance that the Frenchman is holding out for a transfer to Juventus.
The likes of Flamengo's Fabricio Bruno and Red Bull Salzburg's Oumar Solet are also believed to be on West Ham's radar.
Oliver Thomas
