West Ham United could now use Nayef Aguerd as secret agent to secure Noussair Mazraoui as transfer news emerges
West Ham United are said to be among several Premier League clubs to have been alerted to the situation of Bayern Munich full-back Noussair Mazraoui and they could now use Nayef Aguerd as a secret agent.
The Moroccan international has struggled for game time and form since making the switch to Bavaria from Amsterdam where he starred for Ajax during the 2021/22 campaign.
Mazraoui has started just 10 times this season and 20 full appearances overall for the current Bundesliga leaders, with his last full action coming against Augsburg in March.
The full-back’s situation has led to questions about his immediate future at the German champions who could now be set for another transfer this summer, with his representatives reportedly making moves already.
According to 90Min, [20 April] West Ham are among a whole host of Premier League sides alerted to Mazraoui’s potential availability this summer.
“As such, sources have told 90min that the player’s representatives have begun to gauge interest from other clubs ahead of a potential summer move,” stated the report.
“Manchester United, Newcastle United, Wolves, Arsenal, West Ham United and Crystal Palace are among the clubs to have been alerted to the Moroccan’s potential availability and will be kept informed of his situation at Bayern Munich in the coming weeks and months.
“Outside of the Premier League, we understand that Inter, Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid have also been told about Mazraoui.”
Considering the plethora of clubs currently seeking a move for the complete full-back, it may prove difficult for the Hammers to seal a move but they may possess a secret agent within their ranks that could prove the deciding factor in his international teammate Aguerd who has excelled in his first season at the London Stadium.
West Ham United will certainly be on the lookout for right-back targets this summer, having sold academy product Harrison Ashby to Newcastle United, and first-team stars Vladimir Coufal and Ben Johnson facing uncertain futures at the London Stadium this summer.
And Mazraoui represents the ideal replacement for both of them given his European and international pedigree for Ajax and Morocco. The 25-year-old starred alongside Aguerd during Morrocco’s tremendous exploits at the World Cup in Qatar and the Hammers defender could certainly put in a good word to his counterpart about moving to East London this summer.
Despite his struggles in Bavaria this season, Mazroaui has still shown why he is considered one of the most well-rounded and complete full-backs on the continent.
He’s capable of playing at both right-back and left-back and has still managed three assists for Bayern Munich while also averaging 1.5 tackles per game and winning 54% of his total duels, as per SofaScore.
His last season at Ajax drew even terrific numbers, registering five goals and two assists in 25 Dutch Eredivisie games, registering 1.3 key passes, having a hand in 11 clean sheets, successfully completing 60% of his dribbles, whilst winning 59% of his total duels in an Ajax shirt as they won the Dutch top-flight under Erik ten Hag’s tutelage.
West Ham United will be desperate for more attacking variation from full-back for next season and Mazroaui represents the ideal and more complete outlet in comparison to Coufal and Johnson and the Hammers must ensure they use Aguerd as a source to get this deal over the line as they could well form the future of the West Ham back-line for years to come.
The battle to avoid the drop into the Championship is paramount at present, with an obvious impact on the pull of the club for potential signings.
Only once the situation for next season is confirmed, can the club really push on in regards to signing targets and overall plans for the new campaign but Mazraoui represents a superb opportunity.