Kurt Zouma's proposed move to Adnoc Pro League club Shabab Al Ahli has collapsed after the French defender failed a medical, according to several reports.
Zouma, who has one year remaining on his contract with Premier League side West Ham United, was expected to complete a free transfer switch to Shabab Al Ahli and travelled to Dubai to complete the formalities. However, the 29-year-old centre-back has failed the medical, leading to the move being called off.
Zouma has had his fitness problems over the years, ever since tearing his cruciate ligament in February 2016, which sidelined him for more than nine months. Over the past three seasons, he suffered two separate hamstring injuries and another knee injury that kept him out of action for a combined four-and-a-half months.
The collapsed deal leaves West Ham in a difficult position having spent nearly £75 million ($95.85m) on new central defenders this summer; Wolves captain Max Kilman was signed for £40m last month and has been joined at the London Stadium by Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice on a loan deal that includes a £40m (£34.22m) obligation to buy.
Zouma has been at West Ham since 2021, when he arrived from Chelsea for £29.8m, and became a key player for the Hammers. Following the departure of Declan Rice to Arsenal last summer, the Frenchman was appointed club captain and played 39 games across competitions during the 2023/24 season.
Despite Zouma's importance to the team, West Ham are keen to offload one of their highest earners as new manager Julen Lopetegui begins shaping the squad in his own image.
The failed move is also a blow to Shabab Al Ahli, who would have viewed Zouma's ability, experience and leadership as a massive boost to their squad ahead of their bid to win back the Pro League title. The Dubai club won the league in 2022/23 but had to settle for runner-up last season behind a rampant Al Wasl side.
Zouma, who joined Chelsea in 2014 age 19, has made 247 Premier League appearances, winning two league titles, the League Cup, and the 2021 Uefa Champions League with the Blues. He then helped West Ham win their first European title in 58 years when they won the Europa Conference League in 2022.
Draw:
Group A: Egypt, DR Congo, Uganda, Zimbabwe
Group B: Nigeria, Guinea, Madagascar, Burundi
Group C: Senegal, Algeria, Kenya, Tanzania
Group D: Morocco, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Namibia
Group E: Tunisia, Mali, Mauritania, Angola
Group F: Cameroon, Ghana, Benin, Guinea-Bissau
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
Points tally
1. Australia 52; 2. New Zealand 44; 3. South Africa 36; 4. Sri Lanka 35; 5. UAE 27; 6. India 27; 7. England 26; 8. Singapore 8; 9. Malaysia 3
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Personalities on the Plate: The Lives and Minds of Animals We Eat
Barbara J King, University of Chicago Press
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German plea
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the German parliament that. Russia had erected a new wall across Europe.
"It's not a Berlin Wall -- it is a Wall in central Europe between freedom and bondage and this Wall is growing bigger with every bomb" dropped on Ukraine, Zelenskyy told MPs.
Mr Zelenskyy was applauded by MPs in the Bundestag as he addressed Chancellor Olaf Scholz directly.
"Dear Mr Scholz, tear down this Wall," he said, evoking US President Ronald Reagan's 1987 appeal to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate.
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
