West Ham have received an “official bid” from Al-Ittihad for Nayef Aguerd, according to Foot Mercato reporter Santi Aouna.
The journalist claims that the Saudi Pro League side are the club who have advanced negotiations the furthest but there is also interest from Villarreal, Real Sociedad and several other European teams:
🚨EXCL : ⚒️🇲🇦 #PL |
💰 Al-Ittihad sent an official bid today to West Ham for Nayef Aguerd
❗️Villareal, Real Sociedad and many european clubs are also there for the moroccan CB
⏳️ More to follow
W @HanifBerkanehttps://t.co/iCIHesMKgW pic.twitter.com/zfgysK6Pt5
— Santi Aouna (@Santi_J_FM) August 29, 2024
West Ham are hoping to offload Aguerd before the transfer window closes. He hasn’t featured in the matchday squad for any of the Hammers’ games so far this season.
Will Aguerd move to the Middle East?
There has been plenty of talk about the Moroccan international moving to Saudi Arabia in recent months but this is the strongest indication yet that a transfer is a realistic possibility.
It remains to be seen if Aguerd is tempted by the money on offer or whether he prefers to stay in Europe. In addition to the teams mentioned by Aouna, reports in the English media have linked Wolves with a loan bid for the defender.
Financially, though, West Ham would probably prefer him to accept the proposal from Al-Ittihad; especially if they can recoup a significant portion of the £30m they paid for the player two years ago.
A departure is needed to fund West Ham’s final summer signing
It is believed that technical director Tim Steidten is still hoping to clinch one final deal before the transfer deadline on Friday evening. PSG’s Carlos Soler is the top target.
However, they will reportedly need around €20m (£17m) to bring in the Spaniard and Aguerd’s departure would certainly help finance that move.
