An update has emerged about West Ham's pursuit of Kurt Zouma this week...

What's the word?

According to Sky Sports, the 26-year-old colossus is still a key target for the Irons, with just one week to go in the transfer window. The addition of a new central defender has been a top priority for manager David Moyes for several weeks now.

After a move for Fiorentina's Nikola Milenkovic fell through, the France international has seemingly become the main option, despite rejecting the club several weeks ago.

"We're told that they remain interested in signing Chelsea centre-back Kurt Zouma," revealed Sky Sports News presenter Tom White. "This is just into us right now. We've been told that there is a deal to be done between the clubs. Chelsea's asking price is believed to be £25m."

"That isn't the stumbling block, though. We're told that the stumbling block is personal terms, which might be difficult to agree [on]."

Pay up, GSB!

The Athletic's David Ornstein has provided further information into the situation, claiming in a recent column that Zouma is demanding an increase on his reported £46k-per-week wages at Stamford Bridge to around £125k-per-week.

Whilst it may seem like a considerable increase for a player that is currently not first-choice for the Champions League winners, the Hammers run the risk of missing out and signing nobody in the role.

You could also justify splashing that much on a player that has contributed towards that aforementioned triumph, as well as two Premier League titles.

That's not to mention the fact that Andriy Yarmolenko is currently the highest-earner at the London Stadium, taking home a whopping £115k-per-week, via Spotrac. The Ukraine international only started one league game last season. What a waste of money.

Zouma, however, would walk right into Moyes' starting XI and be a leader in the backline.

Once hailed as a "beast of a player" by England and Premier League legend John Terry, the 26-year-old powerhouse has made 165 appearances in the top-flight, whilst his 27 games across all European competitions will come as a benefit when the Irons' Europa League campaign gets underway.

Last season, only three other centre-backs were better on the ball, with the Chelsea star averaging a passing accuracy of 90.6%. He was also a beast in the air, winning 3.6 aerial duels per match, which was more than every one of Moyes' current options, as per WhoScored.

Valued at €30m (£26m) by CIES Football Observatory, it's evident that West Ham would be getting a great deal at a reported £25m, so they should look to stump up the necessary funds to secure him.

There's a week to go, GSB must pay up to secure Moyes his man. They're risking disaster by not doing so.

AND in other news, Forget Antonio: £60k-p/w West Ham beast with 83 touches was Moyes' unsung hero vs LCFC...