Marseille, Bayer Leverkusen Want 29 Year Old West Ham United Defender: What Should The Hammers Do?

Nayef Aguerd arrived in England with high expectations, but his time at West Ham United never took off as hoped. The Moroccan centre-back, signed from Rennes in 2022, showed moments of brilliance at times, but never managed to establish himself as a regular under David Moyes and also not needed by Graham Potter. After a notable loan spell at Real Sociedad during the 2024/25 season, the defender is looking for a change of scenery this summer.
Several clubs across the continent have turned their attention to him. The transfer market is ongoing, and Aguerd is at the centre of the attention. The interest in him is no coincidence: he is left-footed, solid in the air and has good ball control.
Marseille, Bayer Leverkusen Want West Ham United Defender, Nayef Aguerd
According to French media outlet Foot Mercato, Aguerd is on the agenda of four European teams. Real Sociedad wants to keep him after a convincing season. However, it will not be easy. Atlético Madrid are also interested in the 29-year-old centre-back, as are Bayer Leverkusen, who are in need after the departure of Jonathan Tah. And from France, Marseille have already made a move with a formal contract offer. West Ham, who still owns his rights, will have to make a clear decision about his future in the coming weeks, with several options on the table and much to consider.
BACKA TOPOLA, SERBIA – NOVEMBER 30: Nayef Aguerd of West Ham United in action during the UEFA Europa League match between FK TSC Backa Topola and West Ham United FC on November 30, 2023 in Backa Topola, Serbia. (Photo by)
What Should The Hammers Do?
The Hammers have an opportunity here that they should not waste. If the player does not fit into their plans, they should capitalise on his market value. It is not advisable to retain a player who wants to leave. Real Sociedad gave him a starring role, Marseille want him to strengthen their defence, and Leverkusen see him as a natural replacement for Tah.
If West Ham plays their cards right, they could force a bid exceeding €20 million. But the club must not rest on their laurels: in these markets, passivity is punished. Another less explored angle points to a sale with a buy-back clause or future percentage. This would not close the door on a possible return if Aguerd's performance skyrockets. But if the player has already made up his mind, then it is time to act. Keeping him against his will would do more harm than good.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Yahoo

39 minutes ago

• Yahoo

PSG Get Good News as Bayern Munich Make €12M-per-Year Offer to Barcelona Target

PSG are just one win away from completing a treble, largely thanks to the depth Luis Enrique has built across the squad. The Spanish manager has relied heavily on rotation this season, a strategy that's helped secure back-to-back Ligue 1 titles and a Coupe de France triumph. But while the approach has paid off, it hasn't satisfied everyone. Some players believe they're ready for a bigger role—and Bradley Barcola might be one of them. The young forward is now attracting interest from Bayern Munich, raising questions about his future in Paris. Advertisement According to Sky Sport Germany's Florian Plettenberg, Bayern board member for sport Max Eberl recently left the club's training camp in Florida to focus on squad planning. He's holding talks with agents and other decision-makers as the club shapes its summer strategy. Bayern remain interested in adding a winger, with their top priority still believed to be Athletic Club's Nico Williams—though that deal depends on how things play out with Barcelona. Barcola is also high on Bayern's radar, while AC Milan's Rafael Leão has come up in internal discussions as well. Are Bayern Munich ditching interest in PSG standout? OSCAR DEL POZO/AFP via Getty Images Advertisement Plettenberg's latest report reveals that Bayern Munich haven't given up on Nico Williams and have put a €12 million per season offer on the table. Bayern are hoping Barcelona run into financial or registration issues that could prevent them from closing the deal. In his recent column, Bayern Munich insider Christian Falk revealed that Bayern Munich still see Barcola as a Plan B option if they are unable to secure Athletic Club's Nico Williams, who is linked to Barcelona. 'FC Bayern still can't agree on which player is best for the club. Nico Williams is still the ideal number one signing,' Falk wrote. 'They think Leão doesn't contribute as effectively with his defensive work. Barcola is hard to get; PSG don't want to sell him. Advertisement 'Interestingly, though, Bradley Barcola has changed agents. He is no longer being advised by star agent Jorge Mendes, Cristiano Ronaldo's old representative. 'He has switched to Moussa Sissoko and Marco Lichtsteiner. They are also Jamie Gittens' agents. The agency is also very well connected with FC Bayern. If there is a chance of a transfer, FC Bayern will be attentive to the opportunity.' Despite this rumor, Foot Mercato's Josué Cassé recently reported that Barcola isn't leaving PSG, as he remains a key part of the club's project and has no intention of moving on.

Yahoo

43 minutes ago

• Yahoo

🌎 The Club World Cup guide to...Porto

Our guide to all 32 clubs participating at the FIFA Club World Cup continues. You can check out the full list so far here. Today we're looking How did they qualify for the Club World Cup? 📸 Alex Livesey - 2004 Getty Images Advertisement Porto are a club with great European pedigree, having won the European Cup in 1987 and the Champions League in 2004. They qualified for the Club World Cup via the UEFA ranking pathway thanks to some strong Champions League showings between 2021 and 2024. History at the Club World Cup Porto have never played at the Club World Cup but did win the Intercontinental Cup in 1987 (beating Uruguayan side Peñarol 2-1 after extra-time in a one-off match) and in 2004 (beating Colombian outfit Once Caldas in a penalty shoot-out). How did they perform in the 2024/25 season? It's been a tough campaign for Porto with the Portuguese giants finishing third in their domestic campaign, failing to win any of the cups and getting knocked out of the Europa League and the first post-group stage hurdle. Who is the coach? 📸 Hector Vivas - 2025 Getty Images Advertisement Argentine coach Martín Anselmi has only been in charge of Porto since January 2025, having previously coached in Chile, Ecuador and Mexico respectively. He has a reputation as a progressive, detail-oriented manager focused on high-intensity, possession-based football. Who is their star player? 📸 Octavio Passos - 2024 Getty Images Spain international forward Samu Aghehowa will be one to watch at the Club World Cup. Since joining Porto from Atlético de Madrid in the summer of 2024, the 20-year-old has been in impressive form, scoring 25 goals in 42 games, earning himself a call-up to Spain's senior squad last November, having won a gold medal for La Roja at the 2024 summer Olympic Games. Expected performance at the Club World Cup The Dragões will fancy their chances of emerging from Group A, where they will face Al Ahly, Inter Miami and Palmeiras. Advertisement But a disappointing season on the domestic front means it's difficult to imagine them doing much in the knockout stages, if indeed they get that far. A quarter-final berth would represent a solid achievement. 📸 FILIPE AMORIM - AFP or licensors

Yahoo

an hour ago

• Yahoo

☕️🥐 FC Ptit Déj: iconic celebrations 🫡, stands set alight 🔥

Newcastle's iconic celebrations 🫡 As a concert was taking place at St James Park, Newcastle supporters in attendance took the opportunity to recreate iconic celebrations and goals. Passion 🤩 This video quickly went viral. As Real Oviedo secured their promotion to La Liga, this child was literally overwhelmed by the event. Advertisement Passion, pure and simple. Fire in the stands 🔥 In the Club World Cup, Wydad Casablanca supporters literally set the stands on fire against Juventus! 📸 David Ramos - 2025 Getty Images 📸 David Ramos - 2025 Getty Images 📸 CHARLY TRIBALLEAU - AFP or licensors 📸 FRANCK FIFE - AFP or licensors Last night's must-sees 🍿 - Real Madrid - Pachuca: prodigy Arda Güler breaks Anelka's record - [VIDEO] Arda Güler's goal against Pachuca after a great combination - Juventus nightmare, extortion attempt: Pogba reveals shocking truths TV schedule 📺 9:00 PM: Seattle - PSG (DAZN) 9:00 PM: Atlético - Botafogo (DAZN) Advertisement 3:00 AM: Porto - Al Ahly (DAZN) 3:00 AM: Inter Miami - Palmeiras (DAZN) This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here. 📸 CHARLY TRIBALLEAU - AFP or licensors