Football
Exclusive: Kurt Zouma Wants Saudi Pro League Move Over Potential Premier League Return
Former Premier League winner Kurt Zouma is wanted by Everton and Wolves, but sources reveal he wants to move abroad. The Saudi Pro League is his preferred option. Zouma, who faced controversy for mistreating a cat, is looking for a fresh challenge after enjoying his time in the Premier League.
West Ham United FC Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League 2023/24 by Rob Newell - CameraSport | Getty Images
Two-time Premier League winner Kurt Zouma is wanted by Everton and Wolves, but SportsBoom can exclusively reveal the centre-back has his heart set on staying abroad.
Our sources have learnt that the former West Ham and Chelsea centre-back, who has also won the Champions League, has loved his time in the Premier League. But at 30 he is now ready for a fresh challenge next season – with the Saudi Pro League his preferred option.
He enjoyed a brief loan spell at Saudi side Al-Orobah last season, playing 19 games for the club after the Hammers placed him on the transfer list despite having a year left on his contract.
Having commanded a wage believed to be £100,000 per week, the 11-cap international is hoping to engineer another move abroad, with only a string of clubs able to pay his high wage demands.
We understand Zouma would consider to play an impressive 12th season in the Premier League, with the last three spent with the Hammers.
But a move to showcase his football, especially in Sauda Arabi where big money is up for grabs, is where the Frenchman is focusing.
CONTROVERSIAL FIGURE
Zouma signed for West Ham in a bumper £29.8million deal in August 2021, but in February 2022 found himself embroiled in controversy after a video emerged on social media of him kicking, slapping and throwing objects at his cat.
Lyon-born Zouma later apologised for his actions, was fined and served community service as punishment for his actions.
But the unsavoury incident left a stain on his career and he never hit the great heights the Hammers had hoped for, although he was a mainstay in their side.
He played 82 times in the Premier League for the East London club having previously enjoyed six seasons with Chelsea, where he played 151 games and won the Premier League in the 2014-15 and 2016-17 seasons respectively.
The former Saint-Etienne defender also enjoyed loan spells with the Toffess and Potters in the top-flight, and has amassed 431 appearances a decorated 15-year professional career.
Zouma has also won the Football League Cup, UEFA Super Cup and latterly won the Europa Conference League when David Moyes was in charge.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.