West Ham United could be on the verge of parting ways with defender Nayef Aguerd, with reports suggesting a move to Saudi Arabia could be on the cards.
The Moroccan international arrived in England with high expectations after a promising spell in France. Blessed with pace and a wand of a left foot, Aguerd possesses the tools to become a top-class defender. However, his performances haven’t quite lived up to the billing.
Inconsistent lapses in concentration have seen Aguerd struggle to adapt to the Premier League’s relentless pace. These costly errors have left manager David Moyes with little choice but to relegate him to the fringes, with Konstantinos Mavropanos emerging as the preferred partner for Kurt Zouma at the heart of the West Ham defense.
West Ham’s defensive frailties are a cause for major concern. Conceding the fourth-highest number of goals in the league paints a bleak picture, and a complete defensive overhaul appears increasingly likely. Aguerd, with three years remaining on his contract, doesn’t seem to fit into the Irons long-term plans.
According to transfer journalist Ben Jacobs, interest in Aguerd is brewing in Saudi Arabia, with Al-Ittihad and Al-Qadsiah both credited with an interest in acquiring the defender. While recouping the entirety of the transfer fee paid to Rennes might be unrealistic, the potential for a profit due to Saudi Arabian interest could prove tempting for the Hammers hierarchy.
Perhaps West Ham might be willing to accept a small loss on Aguerd if it means freeing up funds for a defensive overhaul. Ultimately, both the club and the player might benefit from a fresh start.