Julen Lopetegui had confirmed that Kurt Zouma is due to leave West Ham - even though he remains on the books at present.
The Head Coach, speaking at his first pre-match press conference this lunchtime confirmed that Zouma - who is currently in the Middle East, talking to potential suitors in the wake of a failed medical with Shabab Al-Ahli - had been granted permission to talk to other clubs.However he refused to acknowledge suggestions that he and Tim Steidten were still looking to enhance the squad further before the transfer window closes a fortnight from now.
"Kurt [Zouma] is a fantastic person and a very good player," responded Lopetegui, when asked to clarify the French defender's position. "I have big respect for Kurt. He is trying to sort his future."
And responding to a question about further potential arrivals to add to the eight players already signed this summer, he added: "I'm not going to talk about players who aren't here.
"My aim is to be ready for matchday, and focus on the players who are already here. After, we will see what happens."
The latest of those signings, £15million-man Aaron Wan-Bissaka is in line to make his Hammers debut against Aston Villa this weekend.
But Lopetegui was keeping his cards close to his chest on that, too, refusing to give any indication who would be in his starting XI come Saturday afternoon.
"Some are more ready than others, so it's up to us to make the right decisions," he said, when asked if the new right back would start ahead of regular Vladimir Coufal.
"He [Wan-Bissaka] has played in pre-season with Manchester United, so we will see. It's true that he's only been here a short while, so we will see tomorrow, as we will with all of the new players.
We are happy with Aaron, and all of the new signings are going to help improve our team. To have more competition in positions is important, and Aaron will add a lot of things to our team. He's very happy to be here. He is a good age, with good experience, and he is happy."
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