Transfer Rumors: Chelsea Ready To Deal Zouma; West Ham May Encounter Bigger Problem

KEY POINTS

West Ham reaches verbal agreement with Chelsea for Kurt Zouma
The Hammers seem to be unwilling to spend big money on the French player
Zouma is allegedly open to staying with the Blues if wage demands become too stiff for West Ham

Chelsea and West Ham United have reportedly reached a verbal agreement for Kurt Zouma although personal terms still stand in the way.

The Hammers have been targeting the 26-year-old player for quite some time now and reports claim that they have met the Blues asking price of £25.8million ($35.4 million), The Athletic reported.

However, the deal appears to be one part of the story. West Ham needs to reach an agreement with the center-back, something that could be a problem.

Zouma may ask for a weekly wage of £125,000 ($171,000), something that is considerably higher than what he currently earns with the Blues.

Also, this would be something that would make Zouma the highest-paid player on the Hammers' side.

Assuming this is the case, David Moyes and company could retreat from completing the deal with the center-back.

Hence, the verbal agreement may be a bit shallow for now with the asking weekly salary of Zouma up in the air.

It was previously suggested that West Ham had already been turned off by the French player’s wage demands.

With the Blues, Zouma has already made 36 appearances last term as Chelsea finished fourth in the English Premier League and also bagged the UEFA Champions League.

Curiously, he was not featured in the final, semi-finals, or quarter-finals against Manchester City.

Zouma saw a change in playing time with the Blues when Thomas Tuchel arrived to replace Frank Lampard in January. He has so far been an unused substitute in the Blues' two Premier League matches.

Should Zouma fail to come to terms with West Ham, the French winger is allegedly open to staying at Stamford Bridge, Sky Sports reported.

Aside from the Hammers, Tottenham is also allegedly interested in signing the center-back.

Super Zouma: Kurt Zouma (left) celebrates scoring Chelsea's second goal in a 3-0 win at Burnley POOL / MOLLY DARLINGTON

Chelsea is coming off a win over an undermanned and troubled Arsenal squad. Romelo Lukaku made his first appearance since being acquired from Inter Milan and did not disappoint.

“A perfect start. We didn’t concede a goal and we have two victories. It is a London derby, it gives us a lot of confidence,” Tuchel said about their perfect start for this season. “This is what you need. We are a different group and this is what you need, experiences together like good victories and moments where you suffer. This is how a group is built. That is why we are absolutely happy with the start.”