Two unidentified European bidders as well as a Saudi Pro League club made approaches to the defender. However, Nayef Aguerd consistently told his representatives that he was content at West Ham and had no desire to leave. Nuno Espirito Santo’s Al Ittihad expressed late interest in the 27-year-old player but did not make a counteroffer.
Aguerd left Rennes in June 2022 for a transfer fee of €31 million (£26.7 million; $31 million), which may increase to €35 million with add-ons.
The defender is grateful for the understanding displayed by Moyes and the physio staff when he missed four months of his debut season due to an ankle ailment. He hopes to repay that faith by flourishing for West Ham for the entire season. The manager waited a full year to sign Aguerd because he was so anxious to add a left-footed center-back with Aguerd’s technical skills.
Nayef Aguerd can be a very influential player-
The defender was hurt in the Rangers preseason loss last summer on the road. After the game, he underwent an MRI on his left ankle, and West Ham’s medical staff consulted with renowned surgeon James Calder at the Fortius Clinic in London. If Aguerd wanted to be healthy for the Qatar World Cup in 2022, Calder urged him to seek surgery.
Since Aguerd was able to recover from his ankle injury, his availability has not been an issue. However, given that Morocco has secured a spot in the Africa Cup of Nations, he might miss more than four games in January and February. His focus will be on helping West Ham maintain their league form and, until then, guarantee their spot in the Europa League group stage.
Aguerd trained with performance coach Noe Vendrells to stay in top shape before reporting back to Rush Green for preseason in July. In Marrakesh, they collaborated for four days, working on exercises for the lower and upper bodies, high vertical jumps, and passing and running drills. Aguerd’s soaring header in the 3-1 home victory over Chelsea was a reward for his effort.
At Kenilworth Road, the defender completed 68 more passes than any other outfield player.
Must Read: What Kurt Zouma Has Said About David Moyes’ Motivation To Players In West Ham
Moyes believes that Nayef Aguerd can be a starting XI candidate-
Aguerd, Zouma, Ogbonna, Thilo Kehrer, and summer acquisition Konstantinos Mavropanos are Moyes’ options in the centre of defence. After overcoming a small injury, the latter scored twice in Greece’s 5-0 triumph over Gibraltar in a European Championship qualifying match. Mavropanos will have to wait, though, based on the performances of Aguerd and Zouma so far. Close pals Aguerd and Zouma have developed a strong defensive alliance and seem to be the top candidates.
Together, they have started 10 league games, winning five, drawing two, and losing three for West Ham. Aguerd and Zouma, Moyes’ defence, have kept three clear sheets while helping his team score 19 goals.
In the 1-0 victory over Southampton in April, before Aguerd’s lone goal, Zouma provided his teammate with some much-needed inspiration. The 11-cap France international warned Aguerd that he would never strike at the London Stadium in an effort to elicit a reaction. In response, the defenseman scored twice in his subsequent five league contests.
