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By Will Pickworth Published: 21: 44 AEST, 8 August 2024 | Updated: 00: 11 AEST, 9 August 2024 16 View comments West Ham captain Kurt Zouma is reportedly closing in on a move to join UAE Pro League side Shabab Al-Ahli on a free transfer. Zouma, 29, has been with the Hammers since 2021 after arriving from Chelsea for £29. 8million. He has gone on to rack up 103 appearances in all competitions and was part of the West Ham side who won the Europa Conference League in 2023. Zouma was subsequently named club captain at the start of the following season after Declan Rice joined Arsenal for £105m. But now, according to BBC Sport, the Frenchman is set to join Shabab Al-Ahli, who are based in Dubai, in the coming days. Kurt Zouma is reportedly closing in on a move to join UAE Pro League side Shabab Al-Ahli Zouma, who is West Ham's captain, has made more than 100 appearances for the Hammers The defender was part of the West Ham side who won the Europa Conference League in 2023 The report goes on to claim that the 29-year-old has been in talks with the UAE Pro League outfit and a deal is almost complete. Zouma, who has a year remaining on his contract, is believed to be one of the highest earners at the London Stadium. His departure will help to improve West Ham's wage budget after a significant summer overhaul under new boss Julen Lopetegui. The Hammers have already signed Max Kilman, Crysencio Summerville, Niclas Fullkrug, Luis Guilherme and Guido Rodriguez for a combined £117. 5m outlay this window. If the move does go through, Zouma would join the likes of Thilo Kehrer, Said Benrahma and Flynn Downes in leaving the club permanently. Zouma's departure will also bring to an end his 10-year stay in English football after he originally joined Chelsea from Saint-Etienne for £12m as a 19-year-old in 2014. Zouma has a year remaining on his deal and is believed to be one of the club's highest earners Zouma's exit will bring an end to his 10-year stint in English football after he joined Chelsea from Saint-Etienne for £12m in 2014, while he also spent time on loan at Stoke and Everton The defender, who has won 11 caps for France, played 151 times for the Blues, winning five trophies with the club, including two Premier League titles and the Champions League. While at Stamford Bridge, Zouma also enjoyed loan spells at Stoke City and Everton before his permanent move to West Ham in 2021. Zouma's time at West Ham has generally been a success, although he faced significant controversy in 2022 when he was ordered to serve 180 hours of community service after he pleaded guilty to kicking and slapping his cat. Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group