West Ham are making progress with their bid to sign Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma, but still need to finalise personal terms with the player.
The Hammers have been interested in Zouma for a number of weeks, but had initially been reluctant to meet Chelsea's £25m asking price.
But after abandoning their pursuit of Nikola Milenkovic - who has since signed a new contract at Fiorentina - 90min has learned that West Ham are slowly pulling a deal for Zouma together, and a transfer has been agreed in principle with Chelsea.
However, the deal is not close to being completed as West Ham still need to agree personal terms with Zouma and his representatives, contrary to other reports.
The 26-year-old, who has had a watching brief for Chelsea's first two Premier League games of the new season, is seeking a near 50% wage increase on what he earns at Stamford Bridge, though he has intimated all summer long that he wishes to remain in London.
Indeed, Zouma has already turned down the chance to join serial Europa League winners Sevilla - despite Chelsea's desire to use him as a bargaining chip in their attempt to sign the highly-rated Jules Kounde.
A move to West Ham is not nailed on, but Hammers boss David Moyes is a huge fan of Zouma, while a sale from Chelsea's perspective would almost certainly re-ignite their bid to land Kounde.
90min understands the club remain hopeful of agreeing a deal before the end of the transfer window, and talks have continued between Chelsea and Sevilla despite Zouma's refusal to move earlier this month.
The Andalusians had told Chelsea they would need to come up with a package worth £90m for Kounde, but there's growing confidence that figure can be negotiated down.
As for West Ham, their recruitment will likely not end with Zouma. The transfer window has only yielded a loan deal for goalkeeper Alphonse Areola so far, but the club are keen to add at least another striker to their ranks.
A return to the London Stadium is also possibly for Jesse Lingard, as his prospects at Manchester United continue to diminish, either on loan again or on a permanent basis. Again, personal terms may be an issue for West Ham, but Lingard's demands may drop given West Ham's superb start to the 2021/22 campaign.
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Source : 90min