West Ham loan manager and former player Carlton Cole has admitted that Kurt Zouma could well be set to exit this club this summer.

The former England international was speaking with Gambling.com when questioned about the clubs transfer activity following the arrival of Max Kilman and our clear interest in Jean-Clair Todibo of Nice.

“I like the sound of Todibo but I don’t know that much about him,” said Cole. “However, I know Kurt Zouma personally and I would be sad to see him go as he was a good captain for us last season, but at the same time, you just don’t know what the manager wants. Does he fancy Kurt Zouma as a player?

“He’s (Zouma) a great character to have around the club but Lopetegui might want to bring someone else in. There is also the fact that the club may have to balance the books, which all Premier League clubs have to consider in regards to wages now.

“Kurt is a player that I would like to retain but if the manager thinks his time at the club is up, the time is up.”

Cole also shared his thoughts on Kilman, with the former striker believing that he will have a significant impact under Lopetegui in the new era in east London.

“I think he is going to be a good defender for West Ham,” added Cole. “He is one of those players that will suit Lopetegui’s style with playing out from the back and coming out with the ball to start the attack.

“I think he’s going to be a great addition to what we have already. Lopetegui has gone for certain players that are ball playing and he’s worked with him before so he knows what he can do already. It’s a great signing for West Ham, and also for him.

“The fee doesn’t concern me nowadays. That’s down to the clubs to decide and it’s just down to what the player can produce on the pitch which is the main thing.

Does the fee warrant him playing week in week out? I think he will be playing regularly and he is going to grow with West Ham.”