Speaking on live TV (via Football Daily), broadcast giant Sky Sports have made a West Ham United transfer claim involving Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma.

The Lowdown: West Ham in centre-back race?

Former central defender Fabian Balbuena's exit from east London has left manager David Moyes with fairly few options in that position.

The Scotsman has just Issa Diop, Angelo Ogbonna and Craig Dawson as senior first team options, and with the August transfer deadline looming, time is slowly running out to strengthen.

Signing a new centre-half had been tipped as one of Moyes' top priorities at the start of this window and Sky Sports have now brought news on their hunt.

The Latest: Sky Sports make Zouma to West Ham claim...

Speaking live on air (via FD), the broadcaster has dropped some pretty big news involving Zouma and West Ham.

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Indeed, they claim that talks have now commenced over signing the 26-year-old from London rivals Chelsea.

"This involves West Ham, we're told you're in talks with Chelsea over the signing of defender Kurt Zouma," Sky stated.

"West Ham, we're told, are prepared to pay around £20 million for Zouma, now that would fall under Chelsea's valuation.

"However, key to this is that Zouma is settled in London and, as it stands, would welcome that move over being part of a swap deal involving Sevilla's Jules Kounde."

The Verdict: Get it done...

If West Ham can secure a deal for Zouma, there is little doubt he would reinforce Moyes' central defensive options.

The towering 6 foot 3 colossus has experience playing at the highest level of European football as well as the Premier League, and at 26-years-old, could still have many years ahead of him.

As well as this, the Frenchman averaged a cool 90.9% pass accuracy over 22 league starts for Chelsea last campaign (WhoScored) - perhaps indicating he could be the composed figurehead of West Ham's backline.

Zouma also bagged five Premier League goals over 2020/2021, highlighting the fact he can also be a threat at the other end.

Given his credentials, there appear to be very few downsides to this possible move.

In other news: Offer made: West Ham table bid to sign 'devastating' attacker for Moyes, find out more here.