West Ham have finally made a long-awaited transfer breakthrough as talks begin over a crucial first deal of the summer window – but there’s a problem.
Just as things seemed to be moving in the right direction overnight, the proposal put forward has been deemed a non-starter – leaving the Hammers back at square one for now.
But the good news for West Ham is that talks remain ongoing.
The world and its wife knows West Ham are insisting they must sell to buy this summer.
It is a major bone of contention for many Hammers fans who are furious with the club for allowing the situation to develop.
Supporters are incredulous that three rich and supposedly financially savvy business people such as David Sullivan, Daniel Kretinsky and Karren Brady have let things get to a stage where the club has no wiggle room in terms of PSR.
Good news at last for Graham Potter’s West Ham plans
But that is the line West Ham continue to put out to fans as they face one of the most important transfer windows in their recent history.
Graham Potter and head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay have done their jobs, identifying a host of young, dynamic players they believe can transform the team after 18 dismal months of regression.
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West Ham can’t sign any of them until sales are made, though.
Hammers News revealed money is so tight West Ham are even selling the team’s official dugout seats to fans.
But we also stated there could be some good news in the pipeline.
Nayef Aguerd in action during West Ham United v Chelsea FC in the Premier League
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Because we reported that the sale of Nayef Aguerd looked the most likely to be pushed through quickest as West Ham look to start making signings of their own.
Mohammed Kudus is the one West Ham are banking on making big money from.
However, it is felt a deal for Aguerd will be the first cab off the rank.
The Hammers want around £15-20m for Aguerd and had Marseille, Bayer Leverkusen, Atletico Madrid and his loan club Real Sociedad interested.
Marseille have since beaten the Hammers to free agent centre-back CJ Egan-Riley while Leverkusen have moved for Liverpool’s Jarrell Quansah, narrowing the options.
West Ham finally get major transfer breakthrough
Then came the good news last night when West Ham finally got a major transfer breakthrough.
But the initial proposal is a complete non-starter.
Gianluca di Marzio revealed Juventus have taken the bull by the horns by actually initiating talks with the Hammers to sign Aguerd.
West Ham beat Juve to the signing of Jean-Clair Todibo last summer and the Serie A giants are still looking to bring in a centre-back.
Di Marzio claims Juve have already made contact with West Ham and the two parties are talking to each other about the feasibility of a move.
Juventus FC Airport Arrivals - FIFA Club World Cup 2025
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Initial Juve proposal for Aguerd is non-starter but talks continue
However, Hammers News understands West Ham see Juve’s plan to include their own unwanted defender Daniele Rugani in a swap deal is a complete non-starter.
West Ham have been linked with 30-year-old Rugani in the past.
He has spent several seasons being loaned out, most recently to Ajax.
Potter’s plan is to reinvent his team around younger, more dynamic players – hence the interest in the likes of Egan-Riley, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Koni De Winter.
West Ham have made it clear to Juve they only want cash for Aguerd and are not interested in taking Rugani in the other direction.
The Hammers have pointed out that Aguerd is a younger, more valuable and arguably better player than Rugani so the idea of a swap deal ‘makes no sense’. Especially with the Hammers desperate for transfer cash.
Juve have reportedly made it clear Morocco international Aguerd is an ‘important target’ for them and talks will continue over a deal after West Ham rebuffed the idea of a Rugani as a makeweight.
The development is the most positive news of the window so far for West Ham.
Because having £15-20m guaranteed on the club’s accounts over the next three years, means the Hammers can go out and bring in at least one signing to get the ball rolling on Potter’s rebuild.