The sale of Nayef Aguerd would not only remove a high-earning £30 million Premier League misfit from West Ham United’s wage bill.
It could also provide the green-light Graham Potter and Kyle Macaulay have been waiting for.
A month into the window, and with a lack of movement casting doubt in fans’ minds about claims that ‘anything is possible’ at the London Stadium this summer, successfully finding a permanent home for Nayef Aguerd could come to represent a lighting of the fuse moment.
Hammers News understands that West Ham United are willing to let the Morocco international leave for around half the £30 million fee they forked over to Rennes back in 2022.
Securing even a half-price sum, however, has proven to be easier said than done so far despite reported interest from Juventus, Roma, Bayer Leverkusen, Atletico Madrid, Marseille and more.
Now, via an update from Fabrizio Romano, another potential destination closes its doors.
Nayef Aguerd and Lucas Paqueta celebrate during West Ham United v KAA Gent: Quarterfinal Second Leg - UEFA Europa Conference League
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Real Sociedad near Brighton deal as West Ham United are stuck with Nayef Aguerd
Bayer Leverkusen have settled on Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah; new boss Erik ten Hag obviously happy to overlook the blunder which helped Man United skipper Bruno Fernandes channel his inner-David Beckham during a thrilling 2-2 draw last year.
Marseille beat West Ham to CJ Egan-Riley’s signature. Atletico Madrid appear to be looking elsewhere, too, while Roma have cooled their interest as Florent Ghisolfi heads for Sunderland.
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The Wearside-bound director was, after all, the man driving those talks with Aguerd’s camp.
Suggestions that Real Sociedad could perform a shock U-turn on a player they decided against pursuing on the back of his injury-interrupted loan spell in San Sebastian, meanwhile, have also gone up in smoke.
The La Liga outfit bid farewell to Nayef Aguerd in May. Now, with fellow left-footer Igor Julio on his way to Anoeta, any lingering speculation surrounding the 2022 World Cup semi-finalist can be put to bed with a full mug of Horlicks.
“Real Sociedad and Igor have agreed personal terms as [the] Brazilian defender is keen on the move,” Fabrizio Romano reports on his official X account.
Romano adds that ‘negotiations are ongoing’ between La Real and Igor’s current employers, Brighton and Hove Albion. Like Aguerd, who played only once for the ‘txuri urdin’ between early April and the end of May, injuries restricted Igor’s involvement at the Amex.
Juventus willing to include Daniele Rugani in Aguerd deal
The Argus reports that Brighton are expected to rubber-stamp a sale which could see them recoup the £14 million they spent on the former Fiorentina defender a year prior.
West Ham, then, may be reduced to hoping for Juventus to come riding to their rescue on a black and white-striped steed. Or, ahem, a zebra if you will.
The Bianconeri have reportedly offered Daniele Rugani, the five-time Serie A-winning veteran, in a player-plus-cash exchange. And while large portions of the Juventus fans would rather see ex-Newcastle stopper Lloyd Kelly farmed out to the London Stadium instead, West Ham are likely to be open to a variety of potential arrangements as they look to get Aguerd off the books well before the start of pre-season.
Hammers News understands that Aguerd has no plans to pull on a West Ham shirt again.
Juventus coach Igor Tudor did not rule out a move for the 29-year-old Atlas Lion, though, when quizzed on the subject ahead of Sunday’s 4-1 Club World Cup thrashing of Wydad Casablanca.
Hope remains, then, albeit Aguerd appears to be a man with far fewer options now than a few days ago.