Julen Lopetegui to make Nayef Aguerd decision at West Ham United after transfer news
Frank McAvennie believes West Ham will keep Nayef Aguerd and sell Kurt Zouma following the signing of Max Kilman from Wolves.
The club confirmed [6 July] the addition of the 28-year-old to Julen Lopetegui’s ranks earlier this month, having played under the Spaniard at Molineux.
Aguerd has been heavily linked with a move away from the London Stadium this summer, but McAvennie has backed the Hammers to keep the Moroccan despite a lack of game time last season.
Speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, he said: “I’d play Aguerd and Kilman together. Kilman is a no-nonsense defender and Aguerd loves to play. Zouma has lost his legs now.
“I’ve been watching him a couple of times and I’m telling him to go and win the ball, don’t let it bounce. As soon as you let it bounce, it’s the striker’s ball. That centre-forward doesn’t want it in the air. Why doesn’t he just head it? Players just run away from him then.
“I think Zouma will want to play somewhere else. Ogbonna’s gone too. They’re talking about Aguerd wanting to leave but he wants to leave because of a lack of game time. This new manager might want to play him. It’s a clean slate with the new manager.
“I’m hoping things will change because they’ve got a good nucleus with the team now.”
West Ham United to lose Kurt Zouma with Nayef Aguerd set to stay
The whole defence was criticised throughout the 2023/24 campaign under David Moyes, with Zouma often facing the brunt as club captain, and now his future is said to be “in doubt” [The Athletic].
And despite signing for £30million from Rennes in June 2022, as per BBC Sport, Aguerd was severely underutilised, only making 21 starts in the Premier League and missing several matches.
While the Moroccan continues to be linked with a summer exit, Lopetegui’s arrival could very much change the defender’s future at the London Stadium.
In other West Ham news, Julen Lopetegui has already hinted at his London Stadium exit after a new admission.
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