Chelsea star Kurt Zouma nearing £25m West Ham transfer with David Moyes hopeful of having defender for weekend

WEST HAM are closing in on £25million Kurt Zouma – and hope to have him signed to be available to face Crystal Palace this weekend.

The Hammers have reached an agreement with Chelsea over the fee for the 26-year-old France centre-back and are now in the final stages of settling personal terms.

Zouma has been made available by the European champions as they look to seal the capture of his compatriot Jules Kounde from Sevilla.

And the early Premier League leaders are now on the brink of finalising a five-year deal for the centre-back which could make him the highest-paid player at the London Stadium.

Boss David Moyes has been desperate to bring in a top class defender to boost the club’s attempts to repeat a top-six finish this season while also challenging in the Europa League.

The hope is terms will be agreed in time for him to undergo a medical and be registered in time to be available for the clash with Palace on Saturday, when the Hammers will look to make it three wins from three at the start of the season.

Meanwhile, the Hammers are being linked to Lille winger Jonathan Bamba - partly as last season's loan star Jesse Lingard seems likely to stay at parent club Manchester United in this transfer window.

Frenchman Bamba, 25, played all 38 of the Ligue 1 side's title-winning campaign.

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For around £25m, he would also offer Moyes the versatility of playing at No10 or as a striker.

And on the way to Lille dethroning PSG last term, the former St Etienne ace racked up six goals and 11 assists.

Moyes has previously admitted he enjoyed having Lingard but declined to comment on whether he would bid for the England midfielder.

And Old Trafford chief Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said last week: "I think Jesse's first priority is to get into our team.

"Whenever your employer is Man Utd, that’s your first priority, it always is.

"Jesse's back to fitness, played really well in behind closed doors games and has come back in good shape. He’s got a big part to play."

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