West
Ham remain in talks with Chelsea over a deal to sign Kurt Zouma but the move
is proving complicated and problematic to complete.
Personal terms and the structure of the payment have been the biggest
obstacles during talks between the two Premier League sides.
The clubs are negotiating a fee in the region of £25m for the France
international, who has not featured in either of Chelsea's Premier League
games so far this season, and all parties involved are hopeful a deal can
still be done.
Zouma has been David Moyes's primary target for defensive strengthening all
summer, although the Hammers have also been linked with Fiorentina's Nikola
Milenkovic and Marseille's Duje Caleta-Car, and the club are keeping all
options open in their recruitment for a central defender.
The 26-year-old has been with Chelsea since January 2014, when he joined the
club from Saint-Etienne.
Zouma scored five goals last season, which was one of his most prolific in
terms of appearances until Thomas Tuchel took over as head coach from Frank
Lampard.
He was an unused substitute in the opening two Premier League games of this
season, wins over Crystal Palace and Arsenal - but did start the Super Cup
clash with Villarreal.
West Ham would need Zouma registered by midday on Friday for him to be
available for their clash with Palace this weekend.
Could Kounde replace Zouma at the Bridge?
Zouma's departure could lead to the arrival of another defender, with
Chelsea having consistently been linked with Sevilla's Jules Kounde.
Sky Sports News reported last month that Kounde, one of Europe's most
promising defenders, and Chelsea had been in talks but he remains a Sevilla
player for now and has started both of their LaLiga games this season.
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