Nayef Aguerd has reportedly been offered the chance to earn ten times his current wage at Al Ittihad but West Ham United have no interest in letting their Premier League stopper leave.
With the Saudi Arabian transfer window staying open until Thursday, David Moyes will be praying that Nayef Aguerd takes a leaf out of Sergio Ramos’ playbook.
The Real Madrid legend turned down an eye-watering offer from Al Ittihad before sealing an emotional return to Sevilla. Whoever said romance is dead in the modern game?
With Al Ittihad now turning their attention to Aguerd – West Ham United’s £30 million centre-half reportedly offered the opportunity to turn his £50,000-a-week contract into a £500,000-a-week contract – the Moroccan’s loyalty is likely to be seriously tested over the next 48 hours or so (Spotrac).
According to Goal, Al Ittihad are prioritising a centre-half after losing Ahmed Hegazi, formerly of West Bromwich Albion, to an anterior cruciate ligament injury. West Ham have little interest in letting Aguerd go, however. Understandably so, given his importance to Moyes’ plans and considering that – with the English window closed until January – the Hammers would be unable to bring in a replacement.
West Ham’s Nayef Aguerd is a Saudi Arabia target
There are similarities between West Ham’s Aguerd situation and the one facing Liverpool and Mo Salah.
A £200 million bid may be too good to turn down for a player in his 30s. Even one as influential and as downright brilliant as Salah. But Liverpool would be forced to wait until January before they can reinvest that staggering windfall in a player capable of inheriting the ‘Egyptian King’s Anfield throne.
“I never had any doubt about his commitment to this club,” Jurgen Klopp told The Independent after Salah scored in Sunday’s 3-0 hammering of Aston Villa. “You can’t imagine how much fuss the world has made but how calm we are with it. He is our player and wants to play here.
“He didn’t tell me (he plans to stay). But he didn’t have to. He speaks with his training and performances and behaviour. We had meetings this week. The meetings were not about what we did in the past. It was about what we will do in the future.”
Aguerd has started three out of West Ham’s four league games so far; only missing the 3-1 win at Brighton through suspension. He even scored in that brilliant home victory over Chelsea.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
