Julen Lopetegui provides update on West Ham transfer business and Kurt Zouma
- West Ham have backed new manager with raft of new signings
- The Spaniard preparing to take charge of first Premier League game against Aston Villa
- Kurt Zouma and Carlos Soler among talking points at press conference
Julen Lopetegui gave little away in regards to West Ham United's future transfer activity in his press conference before the Premier League clash with Aston Villa, but did confirm Kurt Zouma is still in talks to leave the club.
The Frenchman has been replaced as West Ham's captain by Jarrod Bowen and is free to go after the club invested in both Jean-Clair Todibo and Max Kilman in what has been a hectic transfer window.
Zouma has struggled with knee injuries throughout his career, with those issues rearing their head again during a recently failed medical at Al-Shabab, and the 29-year-old's time at London Stadium is almost certainly up as the club head in a different direction.
Though the proposed move to the UAE failed to pan out, Lopetegui told reporters that Zouma is continuing to work on finding new employers.
"Kurt is a fantastic person and a very good player. He is trying to choose his future." the former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss said. "We are going to wait. It’s true that he is trying to talk to other teams right now.
"Let’s see what is going to happen. For sure, the team that has the opportunity to take him, they are going to be happy because he is a good player. I have big respect for Kurt."
West Ham have signed Todibo, Kilman, Wes Foderingham, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Guido Rodriguez, Crysencio Summerville, Luis Guilherme and Niclas Fullkrug this summer – spending well in excess of £100m in the process – but have been linked with further business before deadline day on August 30.
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Carlos Soler is a target, but Lopetegui refused to elaborate on specifics when probed about further incomings.
"I’m not going to talk about names that are not here," Lopetegui remarked. "It’s not my aim today. My aim is to be ready for the match.
“Let’s see what is going to happen. The market is open. We are going to be aware about [it]. But we are going to put the focus on the players that are here.
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