---
title: "West Ham United: Hammers re-enter talks for Kurt Zouma"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-united-hammers-re-enter-talks-for-kurt-zouma/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Emilio Galantini"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2021-08-11T12:10:21Z"
modified: "2021-08-11T12:10:21Z"
---

# West Ham United: Hammers re-enter talks for Kurt Zouma

**According to journalist Jack Rosser of The Evening Standard (via [Twitter](https://twitter.com/jackrosser_/status/1425036564007211018?s=21)), there has been a twist in West Ham’s hunt for a new centre-back as GSB go back into talks over a possible deal for Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma.**

### The Lowdown: Zouma talks flounder…

Soon after the Hammers entered negotiations for Zouma, as backed by [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11685/12367313/kurt-zouma-west-ham-in-transfer-talks-with-chelsea-over-possibility-of-signing-french-centre-back), the move seemed to be all but over after the defender reportedly refused to join them ([The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/aug/04/chelsea-pursuit-of-jules-kounde-stalls-after-kurt-zouma-rejects-west-ham-move)).

\[freshpress-quiz id=”368246″\]

This propelled GSB and West Ham to prioritise a move for Fiorentina powerhouse Nikola Milenkovic, and while Rosser backs that the club are now closing in on his services, he details a twist as Zouma also re-enters the frame.

### The Latest: West Ham re-open Zouma talks…

As per The Evening Standard reporter, writing on Twitter, West Ham have ‘gone back into talks’ over Zouma to see if there is any way a move for him can be salvaged.

[West Ham latest gossip…](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-gossip/)

Indeed, as also explained in his piece, ‘[tentative negotiations](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/west-ham-transfer-news-nikola-milenkovic-kurt-zouma-b949959.html)‘ have re-emerged over the 26-year-old despite his transfer to east London collapsing earlier this window.

As GSB eye a move for the Premier League colossus, it is also claimed that West Ham are ‘hopeful of a breakthrough this week’ in regards to Milenkovic.

### The Verdict: Hopeful update?

Depending on developments, West Ham could add very capable defensive additions in either Milenkovic or Zouma – but the latter man certainly stands out as a target worth the trouble.

He averaged a very cool and composed [90.9% pass accuracy](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/106086/History/Kurt-Zouma) out from the back over 2020/2021 domestically, more than any [West Ham regular](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/29/Archive/England-West-Ham) by comparison, whilst even proving to be a threat going forward with five goals in that time ([WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/106086/History/Kurt-Zouma)).

Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan is certainly one of his many admirers, explaining to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/zouma-tipped-to-make-easy-move-from-chelsea-to-west-ham-after-update-via-sky-pundit/) how Zouma is ‘very big, powerful, strong, quick and a threat in the air’.

As West Ham re-open talks in a summer transfer twist, there is reason to believe he would be a brilliant signing if there is hope of salvaging a move.

***In other news: ‘Yessss’, ‘Incredible’, ‘We are blessed’…West Ham fans flock to official club announcement, find out more [here.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-news/west-ham-united-hammers-fans-flock-to-announcement-involving-tomas-soucek/)***