Mehdi Benatia wants Marseille to sign West Ham United star Nayef Aguerd, loan-to-buy transfer mooted
Nayef Aguerd is open to leaving West Ham United to join Marseille, with the Ligue 1 club interested in a loan-to-buy deal according to Hakim Zhouri.
Speaking to Le10Sport (11 May), the Moroccan journalist reports that the central defender is a target for fellow countryman Mehdi Benatia at Marseille after losing his “indisputable starter status” in east London recently.
The French club are targeting a deal that would initially be a loan with either an obligation or option to buy clause included, and Aguerd is open to the move as it would see him earn more regular game time.
“I received feedback yesterday from his [Aguerd’s] entourage and not from Benatia or Marseille,” he said.
“So regarding Marseille’s interest in Aguerd, it’s really a lead from Benatia, even if it was validated by Longoria. The player is not against the idea of leaving since he has lost his “indisputable” starting status.
“Now he’s more in the rotation, he comes into play less. It’s true that he’s a little injured but he’s really less in the coach’s idea of the game. There are others who pass in front of him and therefore the club is not closed to the idea of letting him leave.
“The game project could please him at Marseille level. Afterwards, it will depend on several factors.
“In any case for the moment, it’s just the beginnings of the track. The deal could initially be in the form of a loan, with an obligation to purchase or an option to purchase. It will depend.”
Julen Lopetegui will have a decision to make with West Ham squad
It’s going to be a really busy summer at the London Stadium, and with David Moyes going it looks like it will be Julen Lopetegui who has to make the big calls as his replacement.
Tim Steidten is expected to be the man in charge of transfers but the new manager will surely have a say when it comes to sales, and central defence is an area of the pitch where the team needs strengthening this summer.
So allowing one of the better options to leave the club is a risky call, but Aguerd has hardly pulled up any trees since his big-money move two years ago.
Lopetegui will surely assess the squad and make a decision, and if the Hammers are able to make most of their money back on the Morocco international then it could be too good of a deal to ignore to let him go.
Replacements will be sought and brought in regardless, so this could be a chance to inflate the budget and let an unhappy player move on.
In other West Ham news, Paul Merson has dropped an “unbelievable” verdict on the imminent arrival of Lopetegui.
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