Tuchel comments on Zouma's Chelsea future amid West Ham links
West Ham have a deal 'in place' to sign an alternative defender if they fail to land Kurt Zouma, according to reports. West Ham have reportedly agreed a fee of around £25.7million with Chelsea to sign Zouma. However, the Frenchman's wage demands are an issue.
West Ham transfer news: The Hammers will sign a defender before the end of the window (Image: GETTY)
The Athletic claims Zouma wants to earn £125,000 a week at West Ham.
That would immediately make him the best-paid player at the London Stadium.
The Irons are debating whether they will give in to the 26-year-old's demands.
Transfer expert and talkSPORT host Jim White has given a further update on West Ham's business.
“Why didn’t they try for Tammy Abraham? He was too expensive. A fee of £36m, but then the small matter of £160,000-a-week.
“What is the latest with Kurt Zouma? Yes, they are trying to get him and have been talking.
“A deal is in place between the two clubs, Chelsea and West Ham, for £30m but his personal terms is a stumbling block.
“There is a plan B in place for a defender and everything is in place for that to happen.”
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West Ham transfer news: David Moyes' side have made a great start to the season (Image: GETTY)
Meanwhile, former Tottenham striker Darren Bent does not think Zouma deserves to demand the wages he is.
"Listen, it might [upset the West Ham players]," Bent said on talkSPORT.
"I get it's a premium, he's coming from Chelsea so that's why he's trying to command them kind of figures.
"But at the same time I don't think he's earned the right in terms of performances on the pitch.
West Ham transfer news: Kurt Zouma won the Champions League at Chelsea (Image: EXPRESS)
"You look at some of the superstars from last season - [Michail] Antonio, Thomas Soucek, Declan Rice, Craig Dawson, one to 11.
"If he comes in and says 'I want to be the highest-paid player', if I'm one of the other players in the dressing room, I'm kind of asking the question 'well why?'.
"I know he's coming from Chelsea but I wouldn't say his performances over the last couple of seasons have seen him deserved to be the highest-paid player at West Ham."