Zouma fails medical in bid to join Shabab Al-Ahli

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

French defender Kurt Zouma’s proposed transfer to United Arab Emirates club Shabab Al-Ahli has collapsed after the player failed a medical.

The West Ham centre-back had made a trip to Dubai to complete a lucrative contract. However, his advisors are now trying to strike an alternative plan.

According to reports, complications arose during Zouma’s medical examinations, but the player is still in Dubai. All parties are seeking to find a mutually profitable solution. Zouma is particularly keen on seeing the transfer through.

ALSO READ:

• Olympics: Tinubu hails Rena Wakama for winning ‘best coach’ prize
• Tinubu mourns former CAF President Issa Hayatou 
• #ParisOlympics: Tobi Amusan Misses Final and Men’s Relay Team Disqualified
• Disqualified Again: For the second Games running, Favour Ofili’s Olympic dreams thwarted by administrative failures
• 2024 Paris Olympics: Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili denied 100m spot

Still with a year left on his contract at West Ham, Zouma may no longer boast of his place in the ranks. The Hammers have signed 24-year-old central defender Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice on a loan deal that includes a 40m euros (£34.22m) obligation to buy.

New additions key in Zouma’s imminent departure

Last month, the London club secured the services of defender Max Kilman from Wolves for £40m.

Also, offloading Zouma will also help trim the wage bill especially with several new additions. The Middle Eastern club had agreed to cover the final 12 months of Zouma’s wages.

The former Chelsea defender has made 103 appearances for West Ham since joining from the Blues in 2021. He stated in the Hammers’ 2023 Europa Conference League final victory over Fiorentina.

Zouma won the Premier League twice and the Champions League at Chelsea. He was named West Ham captain at the beginning of last season following the departure of Declan Rice to Arsenal.

Tags: Kurt Zouma, West Ham, Shabab Al-Ahli, UAE, United Arab Emirates, Max Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo, Nice, Wolves, Chelsea, #nrtcsports, #NewsRoundTheClock, #nrtcnigeria