Nayef Aguerd closes on West Ham move as Morocco stance eases passage to London

Reports claim Rennes centre-back Nayef Aguerd has been released by the Morocco national side and will fly to London on Monday to complete his West Ham move.

The Hammers have long been linked with the African ace and are said to have tabled a bid last summer. That came to nothing and they went back in for the 26-year-old in the January transfer window. Once again, the East End outfit came away empty-handed but David Moyes seems determined to get his man.

West Ham were linked with the former Dijon defender as soon as the season finished. And it was reported on June 6 that he was in the capital looking for accommodation.

That suggested that a move was close but it then emerged that all was not well with the proposed transfer. There was said to be a ‘disagreement’ over potential bonuses that should be put into the deal.

However it appears as though the parties involved have resolved their differences. Moroccan TV station 2M claimed on Saturday that an agreement had been reached between West Ham and Rennes.

But they would need to wait until the talented stopper’s international commitments were over this summer. He was part of the Atlas Lions squad that lost 3-0 to USA on June 2 before beating South Africa 2-1 on June 9.

The north Africans are due to face Liberia in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Monday. But TFT Morocco are reporting that Aguerd has been replaced in the squad by Achraf Dari.

There is no reason given as to why he has dropped out of the squad but the report suggests it is due to injury. However that may be a smokescreen, with a move to the London Stadium imminent.

Moyes persistence pays off with Aguerd capture

Moyes has been targeting a defender for some time. Both Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna spent time on the treatment table last season and the Scot needs back-up.

Ogbonna, 34, is in the twilight of his career and Aguerd may be viewed as his natural successor. The Hammers have missed out on a few targets in recent windows.

But most things point to Aguerd becoming the club’s first signing of the summer.

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