It seems clear that Jean-Clair Todibo will leave Nice this summer, but try as they might, West Ham have been unsuccessful in their attempts to sign him so far.

As Fabrizio Romano noted on his exclusive Daily Briefing for CaughtOffside, the player himself appears keen to join the Hammers, but the French club have rebuffed all offers.

Still no agreement for Jean-Clair Todibo and West Ham

That includes a willingness from the East Londoners to include Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd plus cash for the French international, per Foot Mercato.

It isn’t clear how much further Tim Steidten will go in order to land the player for Julen Lopetegui, and with other clubs seemingly interested in Todibo’s services, the Hammers are going to have to be lightning fast if they want to get any deal over the line.

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Given just how well Todibo has played for the Ligue Un side of late, bringing him to the London Stadium would be a real coup.

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West Ham United’s new manager Julen Lopetegui reportedly wants to sell Kurt Zouma this summer as he doesn’t have a great deal of trust in the player and experienced leader he’s inheriting from David Moyes.

That’s according to a report from Team Talk, who state that the Hammers are prepared to cash in on Zouma this summer as he heads into the final year of his contract at the London Stadium.

The Frenchman has mostly been a pretty solid and reliable player at West Ham, and he also had promising moments at times during his spell at former club Chelsea, so one imagines there’ll be a lot of interest in him this summer.

Team Talk add that it could generally be a major clear-out at West Ham under new manager Lopetegui, so this surprise story might not be the last of this kind that we hear this summer.

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It remains to be seen who might come in for Zouma this summer, and how much money West Ham might look for for the 29-year-old, but this certainly seems like a story to keep an eye on in the weeks ahead.

Lopetegui’s desire to change things won’t come as too much of a surprise, but at the same time he might want to avoid doing too much too fast in case it unsettles his squad and undoes some of the good work done by his predecessor.

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West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui is ready to make his mark at the London Stadium by showing the exit door to players he feels are surplus to requirements.

The new manager is ready to be backed in the transfer window by the club owners as they aim to build on their top half finish in the Premier League.

A number of West Ham players have been linked with a move away from club including Nayef Aguerd, Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen.

However, defender Kurt Zouma is now the likeliest of them all to leave the club in the summer transfer window.

According to Football Insider, the Hammers are willing to let the defender leave the club if they can get a significant offer for the the former Chelsea defender.

The centre-back has attracted interest from the Saudi Pro League and his time at the club could come to an end soon.

The club will not push the player out though, since he is the captain of the team.

West Ham are looking to sign new defenders in the summer and that could prove to be a huge concern for Zouma’s place in the starting line up.

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The defender could be benched next season or have his playing time decrease with the arrival of new players.

Zouma has been the captain of the team since the departure of Declan Rice to Arsenal last summer.

Kurt Zouma’s time at West Ham could end soon

He was trusted by former manager David Moyes, who started him in 38 games last season.

The defender’s contract is set to expire at the end of next season which means he can start talks with potential clubs in January.

With that in mind, the Hammers are looking to resolve his future soon and they are waiting to receive an appealing offer for the French defender.

Brazilian centre-back Fabricio Bruno could become the latest addition in the West Ham United squad this summer and his arrival could be bad news for Zouma.

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In a surprising development, West Ham United have informed their captain and central defender Kurt Zouma that he is free to find a new club this summer.

According to sources reported by Football Insider, the 29-year-old Frenchman has struggled with the physical demands of playing more than once per week throughout the recently concluded 2023/24 campaign.

Zouma’s journey with West Ham United began in 2021 when he signed a four-year deal worth £29.8 million, joining from Chelsea. Over the past three seasons, he has been a consistent presence in the team under manager David Moyes, starting 38 games in the 2023/24 season, 29 in 2022/23, and 32 in 2021/22.

Following Declan Rice’s departure last summer, Zouma was made captain, highlighting his importance to the squad.

Despite his integral role, the rigours of competing in the Europa League alongside domestic league and cup matches have taken a toll on Zouma. His inability to consistently perform under such a heavy workload has led the club to explore other defensive options under their new manager Julen Lopetegui.

West Ham United prepared to make plenty of defensive changes this summer

This strategic move comes as the Hammers are reportedly close to securing the signing of Brazilian defender Fabricio Bruno, a deal that would facilitate Zouma’s exit.

Financial considerations also play a significant role in this decision. Zouma is currently one of the club’s highest earners, with a weekly salary of £125,000, per Daily Mail. By offloading his wages, West Ham hope to reinvest those funds into other areas of the squad to improve their overall competitiveness.

The club’s transfer activity does not stop with Bruno. The Hammers are also eyeing Burnley defender Maxime Esteve to further bolster their defensive lineup after a challenging season. Additionally, the Guardian reports that Moroccan international Nayef Aguerd has been placed on the transfer list following a difficult campaign, indicating a broader defensive reshuffle at the club.

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Julen Lopetegui has a tough job on his hands when he arrives at West Ham next season and one big decision the Spanish coach will need to make is who will lead his team throughout the 2024/25 campaign. 

This season has been an up-and-down one for the Hammers and it has resulted in David Moyes departing after the final match on Sunday.

One problem West Ham fans have felt throughout this term has been a lack of leadership in their squad with their former captain Declan Rice having left the London club last summer for Arsenal.

Kurt Zouma took over that role and that was always a questionable choice from Moyes.

The defender has not had a good campaign at the London Stadium as he has led a defence that has shipped 71 goals and counting this season – the most West Ham have ever conceded in the Premier League.

This is an issue Lopetegui will need to fix if the Hammers are to progress as a club and deciding on a new captain will be one of the first ports of call the former Wolves boss when he arrives.

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Julen Lopetegui could pick James Ward-Prowse as new West Ham captain

According to The Athletic‘s Roshane Thomas, James Ward-Prowse is very much in the mix to be the next West Ham captain.

Should Lopetegui settle on the midfielder, he will disappoint two of his players as Zouma will lose the role and Jarrod Bowen would have been hopeful of securing the armband.

Ward-Prowse would be a great option given his experience in the Premier League and it would be a decision West Ham fans would accept as the Englishman has been solid since moving to the club.

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West Ham are reportedly prepared to welcome offers for club captain and defender Kurt Zouma.

The Hammers’ skipper is set to be one of the first big names to depart the London Stadium this summer as David Moyes prepares for a squad overhaul.

Likely to trigger a mass exodus, Zouma’s proposed departure will offer the club a financial boost as he’s one of their highest earners.

West Ham transfer news: Kurt Zouma exit expected

Consequently, according to a recent report from talkSPORT, the Londoners are ready to sanction the Frenchman’s sale ahead of his contract expiring next year.

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Likely to be a transfer target again for clubs in Saudi Arabia’s wealthy Pro League, Zouma, 29, could be in store for a lucrative deal as he approaches the latter stages of his career.

However, given his status in the Premier League, as well as his experience, which also includes a Champions League-winner’s medal from his days with Chelsea, it wouldn’t be a surprise if teams in Europe expressed an interest too.

Since joining the Hammers from their blue London rivals in 2021, Zouma has contributed to seven goals in 96 appearances in all competitions.

Tosin Adarabioyo the perfect replacement?

Nevertheless, while the Hammers prepare for their captain’s potential exit, Fulham’s Tosin Adarabioyo is a player linked with filling the void.

The 26-year-old Manchester-born centre-back, who will be out of contract in a couple of months, is seen as a genuine option to replace Zouma in the heart of Moyes’ defence.

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According to TalkSPORT, via Claret & Hugh, West Ham United are contemplating whether or not to sell Kurt Zouma this summer.

The French centre-back has been involved regularly for the Hammers this season, starting 27 Premier League games, adding three goals and only recording three clean sheets.

Should Kurt Zouma decide to leave West Ham United, the club seems to have already identified a capable replacement in Tosin Adarabioyo from Fulham. Adarabioyo’s potential acquisition on a free transfer offers an economically savvy solution, especially considering Zouma’s substantial weekly wages of £125,000.

The reported contrast in earnings between Zouma and Adarabioyo, with the latter purportedly earning £47,000 per week, highlights the financial prudence and strategic planning evident in West Ham’s transfer approach.

Adarabioyo’s proven abilities as a centre-back make him an attractive option for the club as they seek to maintain defensive stability and continue their upward trajectory in the Premier League.

Is Kurt Zouma’s time at West Ham coming to an end?

After an impressive tenure of 151 appearances and ten goals for Chelsea, Kurt Zouma made the move eastward within the capital to join West Ham United for a reported fee of £29.8 million.

Securing a four-year contract with the Hammers, Zouma’s arrival was marked by his appointment as club captain following Declan Rice’s departure.

His experience and defensive prowess have been instrumental in bolstering West Ham’s backline, providing leadership and stability on the field. However, his time at the London Stadium could be coming to an end.

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West Ham United’s quest for a clean sheet has been fruitless since January 2, and they’re eager to break that streak in their upcoming matches.

A former West Ham player, Frank McAvennie, with 119 appearances for West Ham in two spells, has launched scathing criticism as the Hammers struggle to stop the ball going in the back of their net.

McAvennie’s comments were aimed at two players in particular, Mavropanos and Zouma, advocating for the club to sell the underperforming duo, who were acquired for nearly £50 million combined in transfer fees.

West Ham told to sell Mavropanos and Zouma in the summer transfer window

He told Football Insider: “Mavropanos and Zouma look like they can’t run. Those two at the back are not proper players sometimes and West Ham will concede goals when they play.

“I’m not confident of getting a clean sheet, they’re pathetic sometimes. You need to have a solid back four if you have these attacking players. That defence – oh my God!”

In the recent 2-2 draw with Burnley, Mavropanos had a challenging time as he inadvertently redirected a Josh Cullen cross into his own net for Burnley’s second goal. On the other hand, club captain Zouma has struggled to regain the solid form he once displayed while playing for West Ham during his first two seasons with the club.

The only teams in the Premier League, excluding the bottom three, that have conceded more than West Ham (49) are Brentford (52) and Nottingham Forest (50). This will be a huge cause for concern for David Moyes and one he’ll be eager to fix in the summer if he is to remain at the club.

The Hammers are next in action in Europe. They’ll face Freiburg in the Europa League last-16 second leg on Thursday, followed by a league clash against Aston Villa on March 17.

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Whether West Ham don’t renew David Moyes’ contract or not, the East Londoners clearly need to beef up their current defensive set-up.

As was seen with Kurt Zouma losing his marker for the only goal against Freiburg in their Europa League clash on Thursday, there needs to be competition for places.

One player that’s making a name for himself in the Championship is Middlesbrough’s highly-rated 19-year-old, Rav van den Berg.

Boro are managed by West Ham old boy, Michael Carrick, and given that the North East giants are 10 points outside of the play-off places at present, if they’re unable to at least give themselves a shot at promotion to the Premier League, Boro could find it difficult to keep hold of their best players.

West Ham looking at Rav van den Berg

““Everton, West Ham, Brighton and Crystal Palace are amongst the Premier League clubs interested in making a move for Middlesbrough defender Rav van den Berg,” ex-professional, Carlton Palmer, told Football League World.

“[…] It has been disappointing for Middlesbrough this season because they wanted to push for the Premier League, but they were not able to bring in the players in the summer or in January to help them push on. So, it has been a disappointing season for Middlesbrough.

“But he has been one of the bright sparks in the team. He has caught the eye of a lot of Premier League teams. Middlesbrough will not want to lose him at the end of the season given the situation. If they do not get to the Premier League, will they be able to keep him?

Ultimately, if van den Berg is to move on, the club are likely to accept the offer from the highest bidder.

However, Carrick’s ties to the East London outfit could give them the edge in any negotiations if he accepts that the player will leave.

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From West Ham’s own point of view, their squad has been the strongest it has for some while, but the depth is missing.

If they truly want to go to the next level under Moyes or whomever, then hoovering up young talent such as van den Berg is a must.

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The latest Premier League team of the week from Garth Crooks is here, with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City all getting players in as all three of the main title contenders won again.

Liverpool got three players in, but, somewhat surprisingly, there was only one from Arsenal despite them thrashing Sheffield United 6-0, while only Phil Foden made it in despite Manchester City’s impressive 3-1 derby victory over rivals Manchester United.

As ever, Crooks’ formation is an interesting one to try and dissect tactically, with the rather odd choice of central midfield players Tomas Soucek and Martin Odegaard both playing out wide, either as wing-backs, or possibly even as part of a front five…?

The latest Premier League team of the week in full…

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Overall, it’s a very strong-looking line up, with the likes of Ollie Watkins and Micky van de Ven certainly deserving their places in the latest BBC Sport XI.

Yoane Wissa also scored one of the more memorable goals of the weekend with his superb acrobatic effort in the 2-2 draw with Chelsea.

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