Kurt Zouma could yet be handed a major leg-up by his old Premier League rivals Arsenal as the former West Ham United, Everton, Stoke City and Chelsea defender awaits a return to the professional game.
But, as talks with Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyoekres hit an impasse, it appears that Arsenal will need to revisit the drawing board in pursuit of another leading summer target.
Kurt Zouma was one of six highly-experienced players officially released by West Ham United when his contract expired on July 1st.
One year after Zouma joined Qatari outfit Al-Oroboh on loan, the former club captain entered free-agency alongside Vladimir Coufal, Lukasz Fabianski, Aaron Cresswell, Michail Antonio and Danny Ings.
He might not be there for long, however.
Spanish giants Valencia are reportedly considering bringing Zouma to La Liga. Cristhian Mosquera’s anticipated move to Arsenal will open the door, as will the £8.6 million deal which takes Yarek Gasiorowski from the Mestalla to Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven.
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Valencia move one step closer for former West Ham United captain Kurt Zouma
According to El Desmarque, Valencia have Zouma’s availability at the back of their minds as they negotiate deals with both Arsenal and PSV.
Mosquera is still likely to join Mikel Arteta’s perennial bridesmaids, even after Arsenal saw a bid worth £15 million rejected a few days ago, per The Mirror.
Valencia are holding out for £20 million. Far less haggling was required in discussions with PSV, though.
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The club which snatched the Eredivisie title from under the noses of bitter rivals Ajax in May have already agreed a deal to sign Mosquera’s central defensive partner; Yarek Gasiorowski.
🚨❤️🤍 PSV Eindhoven have agreed deal to sign Yarek Gasiorowski as new centre back from Valencia.
€10m package with sell-on clause included. pic.twitter.com/3GAXpcQBVX
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 7, 2025
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Valencia have fallen on hard times in recent years, under the ownership of the despised Peter Lim. However, with their long-awaited Nou Mestalla arena finally set to open in 2027 and with ex-West Brom coach Carlos Corberan masterminding a mid-table finish last time out, happier times may be returning to the Castellon Coast.
Though, as emphasised by the interest in Zouma, transfer funds still appear to be at a premium. Another highly-experienced defender without a club – long-serving Manchester United stopper Victor Lindelof – has been mentioned.
Plaza Deportiva add that Valencia may also go for Antonio Raillo or Djene Dakonam. Two La Liga stalwarts whose respective deals at Real Mallorca and Getafe have just over 12 months left to run.
As things stand, Valencia may be without both of their starting centre-backs when the new season begins. Arsenal should return with another offer for Mosquera, while Yarek was spotted boarding a plane to the Netherlands on Monday.
Yarek Gasiorowski set for PSV as West Ham move on from Zouma
Zouma spent four years at West Ham from 2021 to 2025.
The Frenchman made over 100 appearances and won the Europa Conference League. He was, though, stripped of the captaincy following that cat-kicking scandal and eventually farmed out on loan to the Middle East.
“West Ham United would like to acknowledge Kurt’s contribution to our historic European success,” read a statement provided by the club’s official website in June, confirming their plan to release a centre-back who joined from London rivals Chelsea in a deal worth £29.8 million.
“[We want to] thank him for his commitment and hard work in claret and blue.”