West Ham United defender Nayef Aguerd has rejected the chance to move to Bundesliga club Wolfsburg on loan, per The Guardian.
The Moroccan centre-half is surplus to requirements at the club, and the Irons would like to shift him off the books, but he will remain at the London Stadium for now.
Aguerd joined West Ham from Rennes in 2022 as one of the finest defenders in Ligue 1 but has struggled to replicate that form in England.
Injuries have played their part in derailing his time in East London, and the club is ready to sell him and move on. The Hammers have already secured Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo to revamp the backline.
West Ham also want to dip back into the market to sign a central midfielder – Paris Saint-Germain’s Carlos Soler is the top target – but they must sell some players to fund the move.
However, moving Aguerd on is not so simple. The former Dijon man was reportedly reluctant to join a team in Germany on loan (with an option to buy). His high £90,000 per week wages also means suitors aren’t eagerly lining up for his signature.
Beyond the German top flight, Aguerd also has interest from the Saudi Pro League, but it remains to be seen where his future lies.
Is Keeping Aguerd an Option?
While Aguerd hasn’t exactly set the world alight with his performances for the Irons, it might not be a bad idea to keep him around.
The 2018 African Cup of Nations champion is on lower wages than Kurt Zouma, who is already on his way out. With Angelo Ogbonna headed to Watford, if Aguerd leaves, West Ham would have just Konstantinos Mavropanos providing cover for Todibo and Kilman, which is not ideal.
West Ham should focus on selling other fringe players like James Ward-Prowse, Danny Ings, and Maxwell Cornet before considering the sale of the centre-half.