Kurt Zouma has completed his medical and is set to join West Ham in a move reported to be worth £25 million.
The French international’s move had been delayed by prolonged negotiations over personal terms. But, in the end, the Hammers were able to bargain him down from the £125,000 a week he had been originally demanding.
The deal, though, will not be completed in time for him to play against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The Zouma move will now unlock the door for Chelsea to try and sign Jules Koundé from Sevilla, although the Champions League winners face a race against time before the transfer window closes on Tuesday at 11 pm.
He has a release clause of £68 million, but Chelsea are hoping that the Spanish club, who are cash strapped, will be prepared to listen to offers substantially less than that.
