West Ham are interested in signing another centre-back as a replacement for Kurt Zouma this summer, a new transfer rumour has claimed.
The summer transfer window has been an excellent one in east London, with a host of top-quality players brought in to bolster Julen Lopetegui’s squad.
Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo have arrived as strong centre-back options, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka completed a move from Manchester United earlier this week.
The latter will provide strong competition for Vladimir Coufal at right-back and potentially take his place in West Ham’s strongest starting XI, given the fact that he is the younger of the two.
Further up the pitch, Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Fullkrug have also come in from Leeds United and Borussia Dortmund respectively, both of whom could be superb attacking options for the Hammers.
Now, a new report from Football Insider states that another centre-back is on the agenda at the London Stadium this summer, in order to replace Zouma, who is expected to depart.
The 29-year-old looks increasingly likely to leave, although a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli has reportedly collapsed due to issues regarding his medical.
In fact, West Ham are believed to be “desperate” to sign someone new in the centre of defence, despite Kilman and Todibo already joining earlier in the window.
While significant defensive reinforcements have been added this summer, Zouma’s impending exit does mean it makes sense to look for another central defender.
Squad depth is so vital in the modern game and Lopetegui will want several excellent options at the heart of his West Ham defence, in order to fight across various competitions in 2024/25.
No specific player is name-checked in the update, so it remains to be seen who the Hammers could look to sign, but assuming Zouma’s exit goes through, it would be a surprise if a replacement wasn’t found.
Angelo Ogbonna has already moved on elsewhere, having left at the end of last season, which further highlights the need for another fresh face on top of new recruits Kilman and Todibo, who could start together in Saturday’s Premier League opener at home to Aston Villa.
