Jonathan Johnson has claimed that West Ham United paying £30 million for Nayef Aguerd has been the ‘biggest eyebrow-raiser’ in France, as he told Sky Sports News (20/06/22 at 1:05 pm).
The Ligue 1 expert added that there ‘hasn’t been too much surprise’ in Aguerd joining West Ham from Rennes because many felt ‘he had the quality’ to join a Premier League team.
With the Hammers returning to Europe once more ahead of the new season, David Moyes needed more depth to his squad and he has turned to French football to improve his team.
Aguerd has signed a five-year contract with the East London side, with his £30 million transfer paid by West Ham, including add-ons, as reported by Sky Sports.
Nonetheless, when French football expert, Johnson, was asked about how the Aguerd’s transfer has been viewed in France, this is how he reacted.
“I don’t think there has been too much surprise because Aguerd was expected to move on at some point,” said Johnson.
“I think the biggest eyebrow-raiser has been the transfer fee. We are talking what five or six times what Rennes paid for him.
“Although, the project been put in place by Rennes over the last couple of years, is one designed bringing in talent at a low fee, then selling it on for much higher.
“I do think many people were taken by surprise given the fees that were first mentioned when West Ham first started to enter into talks with Rennes. No surprise he has been snapped up by a Premier League club because many thought he had the quality.”
MOYES GETTING BACKED
That spell at Manchester United or in Spain might not have gone well for Moyes, but he is once again punching well above his weight at the London Stadium.
A club of West Ham’s size should be pushing for European football every season, no doubt, but they aren’t exactly that type of club to splash the cash like some.
But now those in the boardroom have backed their manager from the off and it will be interesting to see if more names arrive this summer – there is talk of a possible move for Chelsea’s Armando Broja.
Whilst Aguerd provides defensive depth and much-needed competition, a certain Michail Antonio can’t go the whole season without an out-and-out striker being purchased by the club, so that’s probably where someone like Broja comes in.
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