West Ham United defender Kurt Zouma is on the brink of joining United Arab Emirates Pro League club Shabab Al-Ahli, according to The Athletic.
The Frenchman will sign on a free transfer, and the Middle East outfit will cover the remainder of his wages.
The 29-year-old is expected to undergo a medical in the coming days before completing his switch.
Zouma was handed the captain’s armband at the start of last season following Declan Rice’s departure to Arsenal but has struggled for consistency.
His exit will allow West Ham to trim their wage bill, having already brought in six new players this summer.
The move ends Zouma’s decade-long spell in English football. During his time at Chelsea, he won two Premier League titles, the Champions League and the League Cup.
He also enjoyed loan spells at Stoke City and Everton before joining West Ham permanently in 2021, where he added a Europa Conference League winners’ medal to his collection.
With Zouma leaving, West Ham are expected to enter the market for defensive reinforcements.
The Hammers have already signed Max Kilman but must secure a partner for him as they look to plug a defence that shipped 74 goals last term.
France international Jean-Clair Todibo is top of their shortlist. The Hammers have been trying to iron out a deal with OGC Nice but face intense competition from Serie A giants Juventus.
The Bianconeri can offer Champions League football, which will be a big draw, but West Ham cannot afford to let him slip off to Italy without a fight.
Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels is an option on a free transfer, while Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah is also available after falling down the pecking order.
