Nayef Aguerd shares new West Ham message as transfer decision looms
Graham Potter is still weighing up West Ham United’s centre-back stocks for next season amid speculation over Nayef Aguerd’s future.
West Ham’s transfer business so far this summer has largely focused on strengthening Potter’s defence, with Jean-Clair Todibo’s loan deal from OGC Nice made permanent and two more additions out wide.
El Hadji Malick Diouf’s £19million move from Slavia Prague was followed by the signing of Kyle Walker-Peters on a free transfer after his switch to Besiktas collapsed, and attention will now turn to outgoings.
Aguerd was one of several high earners absent from West Ham’s squad last season after being loaned to Real Sociedad, but the final decision on his future will be Potter’s to make as pre-season continues.
Aguerd front and centre of West Ham training amid transfer hint
Former West Ham scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on 8 July that both Aguerd and Konstantinos Mavropanos will be allowed to leave if suitable bids are made, as they rank low in Potter’s pecking order.
Aguerd had been unsettled by the decision to loan him out to Real Sociedad and could have been one of up to 10 planned departures at West Ham this summer, but circumstances now appear to have changed.
West Ham posted on Instagram (24 July) from their pre-season training camp in New Jersey, with Aguerd headlining the post amid the news that he has changed his squad number from 27 to five.
A vest-clad Aguerd shared the post on his own Instagram story, with the caption of; “a hot one today”.
West Ham ready incomings with defensive rebuild complete
Football Insider Verdict
The additions of Diouf and Walker-Peters provide ample depth for Potter as he prepares to implement the use of a back three system next season, but West Ham are far from finalised in the transfer market.
Up to £40million has been set aside for West Ham to sign a goalkeeper, and attacking reinforcements will be top of the list after Mohammed Kudus’ sale to Tottenham and Lucas Paqueta’s potential ban.
Michail Antonio and Danny Ings’ departures also leave Potter with only Niclas Fullkrug to choose from up front at present, and while Aguerd appears to be in West Ham’s plans, theuy could still accept a bid for the Moroccan in order to free up funds.