West Ham is undergoing a seismic shift behind the scenes, with fresh details emerging about Nayef Aguerd’s future and Karren Brady’s increasing influence at the club.
Hammers News exclusive
It’s been all change at West Ham over the last year but more than most may realise.
First it was David Moyes and Rob Newman out.
In came Julen Lopetegui and Tim Steidten was handed full control of West Ham’s recruitment.
The German had also brought his brother Moritz and Max Hahn in to the Hammers’ recruitment team.
That setup would not last long, though.
After a £155m summer spend, West Ham sacked Lopetegui and Steidten with his brother following him out of the London Stadium exit.
In has come Graham Potter with new head of recruitment Kyle Macauley.
West Ham majority owner David Sullivan has reprised his role as de facto sporting director.
Speculation has been rife that the Hammers are considering bringing in Dan Ashworth to complete the new setup.
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It comes against the backdrop of a big summer window looming.
Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Truth on Aguerd after West Ham return claim
With money tight and another squad rebuild needed, West Ham must be operating like a well-oiled machine when it comes to getting deals done.
There can be no more mistakes like last year.
Because if West Ham take another step backwards the threat is ominous.
As a result of a lack of funds, sales will be needed.
It has also given rise to claims that Potter wants to be frugal by bringing Nayef Aguerd back to West Ham after his season-long loan at Real Sociedad.
Potter cancelled James Ward-Prowse’s loan early to bring him back into the Hammers fold.
Word from a club source this week is that Potter rates Aguerd and will bring him back for a second shot at the Premier League this summer.
Hammers News warned this week things won’t be that simple for West Ham regarding Aguerd.
Big West Ham Aguerd question answered
On rumours of Ashworth, West Ham also stated they’re a ‘happy ship’ in the current setup.
Now Hammers News brings you the truth on Aguerd, Karren Brady’s major power shift and West Ham’s DoF ‘shame’.
Football correspondent Graeme Bailey has strong sources at the club and has addressed the speculation about Aguerd.
The Moroccan has been linked with other clubs after a strong season in La Liga, including Real Madrid and Man United.
Now Bailey has confirmed Aguerd has absolutely no interest in coming back to play for West Ham or in the Premier League.
“I had seen the Aguerd talk and his links to Man United and even a return to West Ham,” Bailey told Hammers News.
“I can tell you I spoke to West Ham – the guy who moved him to Real Sociedad – about his links back to West Ham – he was briefly linked when Potter came in too.
Photo by Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images
Brady’s major power shift and West Ham’s DoF ‘shame’
“However, I was told that Aguerd himself has no interest in moving back to the Premier League.
“He did not enjoy it in England and wants to stay where he is. He loves it in Spain and does not want to leave.”
Fresh claims emerged this week that the Hammers could bring Ashworth in to fill the Steidten void.
While some of Steidten’s signings and his conduct with managers has been criticised, there is no denying he was clearly good at getting transfer deals done.
With so much business to be done this summer – both in and out of the London Stadium – many feel West Ham need a top deal-maker in the building.
This week West Ham stated the Ashworth links are ‘not true’.
Now a leading agent source has revealed Brady is one of the big reasons they are not going after Ashworth and the club are content with the current structure.
Ashworth ‘would be great’ but Brady’s influence has grown
And the key source states it is a ‘shame’ the Hammers aren’t looking to bring in the former Man United, Newcastle and Brighton director of football.
“As it stands my understanding is that Brady has the most power she has ever had at West Ham,” the agent source exclusively told Hammers News.
“And as you can imagine she won’t want to give that up anytime soon.
“It’s a shame as Ashworth would be great for West Ham, he is a proper director of football and works with anyone – football is so broken when that is so rare.”
Brady’s husband Paul Peschisolido is said to be close friends with Potter.
The Hammers vice-chair reportedly championed appointing Potter as manager and has confirmed herself she conducted his interview.
Many West Ham fans are happy with the appointment and what they have seen so far.
So if Brady was key to hiring Potter then she is off to a strong start in her new position of increased influence.