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KURT ZOUMA is reportedly set to leave West Ham to link up with the Iranian Messi.
The Hammers have been busy this summer, with six new players all arriving.
New manager Julen Lopetegui has brought in the likes of Max Kilman, Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Fullkrug.
The club has also signed Brazilian youngster Luis Guilherme as well as Guido Rodriguez and Wes Foderingham on free transfers.
Now it appears the club will start to look at shifting on some players including last season's captain.
Reports have claimed that Zouma, , is set for a move to Dubai outfit Shabab Al-Ahli.
This would see him team up with former Premier League hero Luka Milivojević and the once-dubbed 'Iranian Messi' Sardar Azmoun.
Former AS Monaco and Sporting Lisbon boss Leonardo Jardim currently manages the club.
TalkSPORT have reported that Zouma has been deemed surplus to requirements at the London Stadium.
The French defender captained the side last season following Declan Rice's exit to Arsenal.
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However, his form was not at the best standard, as the Hammers had the fourth-worst defensive record in the Premier League last season.
Zouma has also struggled with knee injuries that have limited his speed on the pitch.
Despite Kilman's arrival, the club has been linked with more centre-back targets as it prepares for Zouma's exit.
The targets include Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo and Red Bull Salzburg's Oumar Solet.
Todibo has also been linked with Juventus and Manchester United during the summer window.
In terms of the club's potential vacant armband, there have been suggestions online that Jarrod Bowen could be set to take up the responsibility.
The Hammers are also continuing to negotiate with Man United over a deal for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
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