West Ham United set sights on Stuttgart ace Dan-Axel Zagadou as Lyon show interest in Nayef Aguerd
West Ham are keeping a close eye on Stuttgart defender Dan-Axel Zagadou as a possible replacement for Nayef Aguerd, according to Alan Nixon.
The transfer expert reported for The Sun’s online edition on Saturday (16 December) that Aguerd is a possible target for Lyon on a loan-to-buy arrangement in January.
Nixon adds that, should the Morocco international be given the green light to leave, Zagadou is one of those being eyed up by Moyes to come in as a direct replacement.
West Ham were previously linked with Zagadou last year, but he instead joined Stuttgart after leaving Borussia Dortmund.
Stick or twist?
Aguerd has not exactly had an outstanding season at the back for West Ham, but it would be strange if they decided to cash in on the Moroccan now.
After all, it was not so long ago that the Irons were having to fend off strong rumoured interest in the defender from big-spending clubs in Saudi Arabia.
The 27-year-old has started 15 of United’s 16 Premier League games this season, and four of their six matches in the Europa League.
Getting rid of Aguerd next month would therefore be strange, especially if replacing him with Zagadou. That is not to say the Frenchman is not a talent, but he would need time to adapt to English football.
It is surely more likely that Moyes will continue to use Aguerd and Kurt Zouma in the heart of defence for the rest of the season, before a decision is possibly then made in the summer regarding whether to stick or twist.
There are a few troublesome positions United need to look at in January, and centre-back does not really appear to be one of them.
In other West Ham news, Micah Richards named a United player when asked who Aston Villa should be looking to sign in January.