Al Ittihad only want Nayef Aguerd in defence as West Ham United transfer news drops

Al-Ittihad only want to sign Nayef Aguerd this summer from West Ham and are ignoring every other defender in the world, according to La Vie Eco.

The Moroccan newspaper reported on its website on Thursday (7 September) that the Saudi Arabian club are only interested in signing the Hammers defender in the final hours of the transfer window and has no interest in signing any other centre-back.

It had been reported that the Saudi club had offered the 27-year-old 10 times his current salary to make the switch from the London Stadium this summer [Goal, 4 September], but have yet to begin negotiations with West Ham over a potential transfer.

Aguerd has started three of the Irons opening four Premier League matches, having been suspended for the win over Brighton and with his contract with David Moyes' side running until 2027, there has been no suggestion they would be willing to let him leave.

Streamline approach

It is a rather bold transfer approach deployed by Al Ittihad this summer, to decide on a single target and not look to any others, despite registering an interest so late in the window. But there have been very few clubs who have turned away the riches of the world's newest footballing superpower.

On the pitch, West Ham cannot afford to lose Aguerd who has been integral to their success both last season and in the early stages of the current campaign and it does seem as though the player himself is very happy to continue in the Premier League.

The nature of the transfer window in Saudi Arabia ending after the English window is that clubs will be reluctant to allow players to leave when they can't sign a replacement, as has been similar in Liverpool's decision-making when huge bids have been submitted for Mohammad Salah.

West Ham have raised plenty of funds through sales this summer and are not desperately required to sell players so they have no reason to allow Aguerd to depart in the final hours of the Saudi window, no matter how desperate Al-Ittihad are to secure the Moroccan's services.

But if they are so set on the defender, you wouldn't rule out them returning when the transfer window opens once again to attempt to secure his signature. At least then the Hammers could sign a replacement if his head is turned.

In other West Ham news, the Hammers are already keen on making a move for Tammy Abraham next year