Premier League giants Manchester City and Liverpool are ready to go head to head for West Ham United’s defender Nayef Aguerd this summer, it has been reported, with both sides already looking for defensive reinforcements.
The Hammers have already seen Declan Rice depart in the last months, while only a gambling breach investigation prevented Lucas Paqueta from leaving to join Manchester City late in the transfer window, which led the Premier League champions to sign Matheus Nunes from Wolves instead of the Brazilian.
Now, it appears that Pep Guardiola’s focus has shifted, and Moroccan defender Aguerd is the latest to be in the crosshairs as West Ham brace for a transfer tug of war over their defender.
Joining the club in 2022, injury restricted Aguerd to just 18 appearances in his debut Premier League campaign, but he has been a key part of West Ham’s fast start so far this season, appearing three times and scoring against Chelsea to help his side to a 3-1 win over their London rivals.
WHAT A START FOR WEST HAM! ⚒️
Aguerd heads home! 💥 pic.twitter.com/D9PxPZSrqa
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 20, 2023
His performances have not gone unnoticed, and the Athletic report that ‘the defender received offers from a club in the Saudi Pro League and two unnamed European suitors”, but that ‘Aguerd informed his representatives he was happy at West Ham and had no interest in leaving.’
However, Sky Sports claim that both City and Liverpool are keeping tabs on him ahead of the summer, with Jurgen Klopp’s side on the hunt for a successor to Virgil van Dijk in the heart of the Anfield side’s backline.
Under contract in east London until 2027, he would not come cheap for either side, but should he have another strong season the Hammers may struggle to keep hold of him.
