West Ham United is preparing to say goodbye to defender Kurt Zouma, who is set to join Dubai-based club Shabab Al-Ahli on a free transfer, despite having a year left on his contract. This news comes after a failed deal for Manchester United full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Zouma has been a key player for West Ham since his arrival from Chelsea in 2021, helping the team win the Europa Conference League in 2023 and even being named club captain. However, with new manager Julen Lopetegui making changes to the squad, Zouma’s time at the club is coming to an end.
Reports confirm that West Ham has agreed to let Zouma go to Shabab Al-Ahli on a permanent basis. This move will help the club manage its wage budget, especially after signing midfielder Guido Rodriguez. Rodriguez, who joined from Real Betis, spoke highly of Lopetegui’s coaching style and the competitive spirit he brings to the team.
On the other hand, the deal for Wan-Bissaka to join West Ham has fallen through due to wage demands. This decision could impact Manchester United’s plans, as they had lined up Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich as a potential replacement. However, a swap deal involving Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries is now being considered.
The addition of Rodriguez and the departure of Zouma and Wan-Bissaka mark a period of change for West Ham under Lopetegui’s leadership. Fans will be eager to see how the team evolves ahead of the new season and whether they can continue to grow and compete in the Premier League.
