Chelsea want £25 million for West Ham target

Chelsea could complete their second and third summer signings in the next few days, with Marco Bettinelli still the club’s only senior purchase so far. 

The former Fulham ‘keeper arrived in SW6 as a replacement for former third-choice shot-stopper Willy Caballero, and will act as back-up for Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga.

A deal for Romelu Lukaku, worth around £93.25 million, looks set to be completed in the coming days, with the Belgian striker set to return to the club that kickstarted his Premier League career a decade ago.

Following that, Chelsea are also apparently still in the hunt for Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, and a deal for the player could be completed soon after the Lukaku signing is announced.

One rumour that was circulating was that Kurt Zouma was being offered to the La Liga side as part of a player-plus-cash deal for Kounde, however the Frenchman was reportedly unhappy with the prospect of moving to Spain and is instead happy in London.

Following that news, it appears that one of Chelsea’s London rivals has taken note, as West Ham United are now interested in the player.

Zouma could start in the Super Cup final against Villarreal on Wednesday in the absence of Thiago Silva.

According to 90min, West Ham boss David Moyes is keen on adding Zouma to his squad as he looks to bolster his options ahead of a Europa League campaign this season.

The 26-year-old is valued by his current employers at £25 million, however, and the Blues are reportedly unwilling to negotiate on that sum.

West Ham currently perceive that fee to be too steep, and a deal would currently be unachievable unless either side are willing to compromise.

This follows a similar pattern to West Ham’s interest in Tammy Abraham, who was offered to the Hammers for £40 million.

West Ham also refused to fork out for that deal, instead offering no more than £30 million.