West Ham have this morning confirmed that Nayef Aguerd has asked to leave the club at the end of the season following his successful loan spell at Real Sociedad.
Yesterday, Hammers insider ExWHUEmployee exclusively revealed that the Moroccan defender had informed West Ham he did not wish to return to the London Stadium.
When Claret & Hugh approached a senior club source to verify the claim, we were told: “Unfortunately, yes, it’s true. But he might have to return unless we get a good price.”
Speaking to a top transfer source who has been involved in multiple West Ham deals, C&H were told: “I think his [Aguerd’s] agent is trying to drive the price down so he’s available on the cheap.”
The news will be a significant blow to Graham Potter, who had instructed the West Ham hierarchy to recall Aguerd with a view to using the centre-back on the left side of a back three.
That position has recently been occupied by Aaron Cresswell, and Aguerd was seen as the ideal replacement, given his ability to play as a left-sided central defender.
West Ham paid £30 million to Stade Rennais for Aguerd’s services, but with the player’s representatives reportedly trying to force a cut-price move, the Hammers could now face a transfer saga as they seek to either recoup their investment or reintegrate an unhappy player into the squad.
Either way, it’s an additional headache for Potter in what was already going to be a difficult window to navigate.
Given that we now have a new manager, and will have a number of players arriving, you’d have thought he’d at least give us a chance before deciding not to come back, unless there are other non-footballing reasons why he doesn’t want to be in London?
In any case, given the money these people are happy to accept when they sign contracts, he will do what he’s told.
If he or his agent are that keen to ‘drive the price down’, then they’ll allow us to receive a sensible fee and sweeten the deal for any potential suitors by taking a hit on their future wages and signing on fees – they can drive their own price down, not ours. Why should we be the ones to drop our pants just because he wants to move?
How is it a headache?
Get the right fee or he stays. Same as every other player.
Nothing to see here …
Yeah, it’s a story, but is it ‘news’?
Not sure how many fans, or those following Aguerd’s career, believed he’d ever play for West Ham again.
With Potter stating his intent to create a young, dynamic squad, how does a 29 year-old CB fit that mould?