West Ham shoot themselves in the foot after loan development
West Ham United have unnecessarily complicated matters for themselves by not inserting a recall clause into the loan deal for Nayef Aguerd.
The centre-half moved on loan to Real Sociedad in the summer with Julen Lopetegui having not rated him, but the Hammers endured a dismal defensive run in their 22 games under the Spaniard before his sacking.
It appears that the club now regret their decision not to hold autonomy over Aguerd (Sean Whetstone, 12 January), who will remain in La Liga until the end of the season, where he has so far made 13 appearances.
Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo were a central defensive duo brought in over the summer, replacing Aguerd and Kurt Zouma, while Angelo Ogbonna and Thilo Kehrer also departed the London Stadium.
But the new reinforcements have largely struggled, with West Ham having shipped 39 league goals in 20 league matches.
West Ham cannot bring back Nayef Aguerd in January
Aguerd will be content with the fact his parent club cannot bring him back and cut his loan short, after being told in no uncertain terms he was not needed this season.
Graham Potter’s arrival in the capital may well change matters, with Aguerd potentially set to be welcomed back upon his return from Spain next summer.
Aguerd’s deal does not expire until 2027, having signed for five years when he joined from Rennes. The 28-year-old still has time to turn around his chapter in England under Potter, though it will not be anytime soon.
For now, the 53-cap Moroccan just needs to keep his head down and perform for Sociedad, who sit eighth in La Liga but boast the second-best defence in the division – only Atletico Madrid (12) have conceded fewer goals than their 13.
The Hammers must consider PSR if they are to splash the cash again this month, else for now hope Potter can get the best out of the expensive reinforcements made by Tim Steidten ahead of the start of this season.
In other West Ham news, yet more horrific injury luck for Niclas Fullkrug in a massive new blow.
For more West Ham news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.