Kurt Zouma to undergo medicals, on verge of completing move to West Ham — reports

Chelseaa defender Kurt Zouma’s proposed move to West Ham United was in danger of falling through last night due to some late disagreements over the terms of the deal, but it appears to be back on track and even close to completion. According to the Guardian, the Athletic, Sky Sports, TF1 and the Evening Standard, Zouma is set to undergo his medicals today as he closes in on his proposed £25m move.

The Hammers were initially unwilling to meet the 26-year-old’s £125,000 per week wage demands, but now all sides expect the move to go through with Zouma said to be excited at the prospect of joining West Ham on a 5-year contract. However West Ham will have to wait for a while to get their potential new signing on the pitch since the centre-back is currently in Paris for personal reasons, and he would have to quarantine for 10 days upon his return — even if he is double-jabbed.

Zouma’s departure would also accelerate negotiations for his international compatriot, Sevilla’s Jules Koundé. While there have been reports of an agreement being reached at €50m plus bonuses, Spanish sources such as ABC Deportes, Marca and AS claim it would take a higher bid than that to entice Sevilla, especially since they rejected Manchester City’s €55m offer last summer.

The Andalusian club would seemingly accept an offer worth €70-75m including bonuses, with 15% of the final fee to go to Koundé’s former club, Ligue 1’s Girondins de Bordeaux. Sevilla are also ready to offer a lower price, as long as they get a player in return as a counterpart. Meanwhile, Goal reports that we’re confident of reaching an agreement for €60-€65m.