---
title: "Virals: West Ham ‘open preliminary talks’ over Nayef Aguerd transfer"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2021/07/06/virals-west-ham-open-preliminary-talks-over-nayef-aguerd-transfer/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2021-07-06T11:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-07-06T11:00:00Z"
---

# Virals: West Ham ‘open preliminary talks’ over Nayef Aguerd transfer

[West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2021/07/06/virals-west-ham-target-sam-johnstone-expected-to-leave-this-summer/) have reportedly begun ‘preliminary talks’ with French Ligue 1 side Rennes over signing defender Nayef Aguerd.

Irons’ boss [David Moyes](https://readeverton.com/2021/06/11/virals-journalist-claims-david-moyes-to-snub-everton-with-deal/) has seemingly prioritised a centre-back arrival this summer after [Fabian Balbuena left the club](https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/june/04-june/retained-list-issued-fabian-balbuena-depart#:~:text=West%20Ham%20United%20has%20issued,the%20Hammers%2C%20scoring%20three%20goals.) as a free agent.

Linked with a [host of names](https://www.football.london/west-ham-united-fc/transfer-news/west-ham-transfer-window-state-19031647) such as Nikola Maksimovic and James Tarkowski, Moroccan international Aguerd now looks to be the number one target.

That is according to a report from [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-west-ham-open-preliminary-talks-with-rennes-to-sign-aguerd/), as cited by [West Ham News & Views](https://twitter.com/WestHamViews_/status/1412322330097995776) on Twitter.

> Twitter: West Ham have opened preliminary talks with Rennes over signing centre back Nayef Aguerd.
>
> \[ Football Insider \]… https://t.co/57BgGEosiQ (@WestHamViews\_)

The report claims that the Hammers have received ‘glowing’ recommendations from scouts of the [eight-cap](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nayef-aguerd/nationalmannschaft/spieler/361914/verein_id/3575) 25-year-old.

Last season the versatile ace made [40 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nayef-aguerd/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/361914) across all competitions – including four in the UEFA Champions League.

Aguerd also earned an impressive [Sofascore rating of 7.07](https://www.sofascore.com/player/nayef-aguerd/877102) in 38 league outings last term, placing the Morrocan among the [top 50 ranked players](https://www.sofascore.com/tournament/football/france/ligue-1/34) in the top-flight.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

Valued at £7.3million and under contract until 2024 ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nayef-aguerd/marktwertverlauf/spieler/361914)), West Ham would have to offer a large profit on Rennes’ [£3.6million](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nayef-aguerd/transfers/spieler/361914) expenditure.

Capable of [playing left-back](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nayef-aguerd/leistungsdaten/spieler/361914) as well as centrally, in many ways Aguerd would be the ideal signing at the London Stadium this summer in order to provide additional cover for Aaron Cresswell.

Credited with [excellent passing and aerial ability](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/362434/Show/Nayef-Aguerd), the international star looks to have the pedigree to make the step to England.