---
title: "West Ham: Irons agree Kurt Zouma deal"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-hammers-kurt-zouma-chelsea-david-ornsteina-areola-david-moyes/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "jonathan radcliffe"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2021-08-23T12:40:00Z"
modified: "2021-08-23T12:40:00Z"
---

# West Ham: Irons agree Kurt Zouma deal

**David Ornstein has revealed that West Ham United have agreed a deal with Chelsea for defender Kurt Zouma.**

### **The Lowdown: West Ham leave it late**

The Hammers are soon to embark on a Europa League campaign – they will be in the group stage of the tournament this term after finishing sixth in the Premier League last time out.

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However, they have made only one new signing so far this summer in goalkeeper Alphonse Areola ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.com/west-ham-united/alletransfers/verein/379)), and they have just over a week left to get more deals done.

### **The Latest: Hammers close in on Zouma**

As per [The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/2783367/2021/08/23/ornstein-palace-want-arsenals-nketiah-for-10m-personal-terms-hold-up-west-hams-zouma-move-ward-prowses-pay-record/)‘s Ornstein, who is [renowned](https://dailycannon.com/2019/05/david-ornstein-ever-wrong-just-reliable-2/) for his reliability with transfer stories, the Irons are closing in on a deal for Zouma.

There are believed to be ready to pay the €30m (£25.7m) fee that Chelsea are seeking for the centre-back, although the Frenchman’s £125,000-a-week wages may be an issue.

### **The Verdict: Real quality**

Taking Zouma to the London Stadium would be a terrific statement from David Moyes and co. At 26 years of age, he is entering his prime and played a big role for Chelsea last season – he appeared in [36](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kurt-zouma/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/157509) matches in all competitions for the Blues as they won the Champions League, and his manager Thomas Tuchel called him a “top-level” player ([chelseafc.com](https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2021/02/22/tuchel-s-praise-for-impressive-french-duo-?cardIndex=0-0)).

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His salary of £125,000 per week would make him the highest-paid player at West Ham ([salarysport.com](https://salarysport.com/football/premier-league/west-ham-united-f.c./)), so there is no doubt that he would represent a significant outlay. However, if the Hammers want to progress to the next level, they must not be afraid of offering slightly higher wages to prospective new signings who would be an upgrade on the existing squad.

***In other news, [West Ham are believed to be interested in this Brazilian striker.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-transfer-rumours/west-ham-hammers-gabriel-barbosa-europa-league-premier-league-flamengo-zico/)***