Chelsea have been left frustrated after Kurt Zouma’s prospective move to Premier League rivals West Ham United fell through this week, as reported by The Guardian.
While the France international has shown little interest in being used as a pawn in a deal to bring Jules Kounde to Stamford Bridge, his departure would have given Chelsea a sizeable wad of cash as they look to finance a deal for an elite-level defender or world-class number nine.
Zouma, as it stands, looks set to be Thomas Tuchel’s fourth-choice centre-half heading into the new season – fifth if you count the versatile Cesar Azpilicueta.
And it seems Chelsea hoped to free up funds for Kounde or Romelu Lukaku by letting the former St Etienne youngster make the short trip across the capital to the London Stadium.
West Ham, it had been reported, was Zouma’s preferred destination, offering European football, a regular starting role and the chance for him to stay in a city where he’s settled.
Will West Ham regret missing out on Chelsea ace Kurt Zouma?
The Hammers made a £20 million bid last week, although it’s understood personal terms – rather than Chelsea’s lofty asking price – kiboshed the deal.
The Standard believes West Ham were unable – or unwilling – to match Zouma’s wage demands.
The one-time Everton and Stoke City loanee is understood to be earning £40,000 a week at Chelsea (Spotrac).
And the Blues have been left frustrated, knowing selling Zouma would have been key to their hopes of bringing the much-coveted Kounde to England during the final three-and-a-half weeks of the transfer window.
It’s believed West Ham will now turn their attention to Fiorentina’s 6ft 5in contract rebel Nikola Milenkovic, although another Serie A centre-back could also be a viable option.
It looked for all the world as though Bologna’s Takehiro Tomiyasu was heading to Tottenham but, with Spurs now pressing ahead with a £47 million deal for Argentina and Atalanta colossus Cristian Romero, the door has been left open for their London neighbours.
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