David Moyes to demand £30million-plus Nayef Aguerd fee to sell West Ham United defender amid new Saudi interest
David Moyes will demand West Ham secure at least £30million for Nayef Aguerd to agree to the defender’s departure this month, according to Sean Whetstone.
The Six Foot Two site editor reported via Twitter on 2 January that the Irons boss would be “reluctant” to let the centre-back leave and would want the club to at least make their money back on the former Rennes man [BBC Sport].
Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth reported earlier the same day that an unnamed Saudi side had emerged looking to sign the Moroccan this month, but the Irons would need a replacement to be lined up first.
Whetstone wrote: “David Moyes would be reluctant to sell Nayef Aguerd this January, he would insist on getting a replacement lined up first of the same quality or better and also insist West Ham recoup £30m or better in transfer fees before agreeing to his departure.”
Workload
Aguerd hasn’t been flawless this season, and indeed went through a period where his propensity to make costly errors was threatening his standing in the team.
But with a number of priorities already in the January window it would necessarily increase the amount that needs to be done in a short period if the club were to let him go.
A striker seems a must and help at full-back, whether the latest issues around Vladimir Coufal are sorted or not, has been on the agenda for some time.
So while Konstantinos Mavropanos has looked solid of late after his summer arrival the current absence of Kurt Zouma and the expected departure of Thilo Kehrer leaves West Ham light in the centre of defence as it is.
Storing up too much to do during a hectic month midseason would be risky unless the Hammers were faced with an offer they couldn’t refuse, so it seems more likely that Aguerd remains until at least the summer.
But with exit speculation following him for two windows running now it might be one that eventually happens sooner or later.
In other West Ham news, the club will dare suitors to pay “silly money” for a highly-rated star in the transfer market.