West Ham United: Nayef Aguerd and Kurt Zouma in demand amid ‘strong’ transfer interest
Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd are both subject to “strong interest” for West Ham exits ahead of the transfer window, according to HITC.
The outlet reported via their website on 25 March that the Saudi Pro League is focused on the two regular starters in the lead up to the market reopening.
And with Angelo Ogbonna said to also on his way out at the expiry of his contract in the summer it appears the Hammers may be set for a summer of change in defence.
Aguerd has started 25 times for West Ham this season but his inconsistent form hasn’t pleased David Moyes and he has been in the sights of Saudi sides for a while, while captain Zouma has started all 28 of his appearances but is increasingly suffering with knee issues.
West Ham set for clear out as Angelo Ogbonna nears exit?
Clearly the situation hasn’t gone to plan if West Ham have bought at least one new centre-back in each of the past three summers and might only be left with one senior option at the position by the end of this season.
Zouma, 29, has been the most effective at the London Stadium since his £29.8million move from Chelsea in 2021 [Sky Sports] but if there is decent money on the table then there would be a good argument to take it as his ability looks to be decreasing with age as he is hampered by injury concerns.
Similarly Aguerd, 27, has had some strong showings himself but having arrived for £30m from Rennes two seasons ago [BBC Sport] he has also been in and out of the side due to fitness and form, and if anywhere gives West Ham a chance of making most of that money back it would probably be the Saudi Pro League.
Konstantinos Mavropanos, 26, a £20m signing from Stuttgart last summer [Standard], has increasingly become a fixture in the starting XI as the campaign has gone on although the Greek has also been solid but not outstanding.
The fact that David Moyes put so much effort into trying to sign Harry Maguire in the same window suggested he didn’t think the current options were suitable for the long-term, and it looks like the club will need to be active landing new recruits with as many as three men possibly on the way out.
In other West Ham news, the Irons are in the hunt to sign a “devastating” new attacking talent.
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