West Ham United Like 30-Year-old Defender: Can His Experience Bolster Hammers’ Defense? | OneFootball

Nayef Aguerd’s contract situation is starting to generate movement in the London offices. The Moroccan defender, who played on loan at Real Sociedad this season, is due to return to West Ham, although his future at the English club is not assured.

Despite San Sebastian’s desire to renew his loan deal, reports from Spain claim that the London outfit want to complete a permanent sale. This has opened the door to a new player in the story: Juventus, who are keeping a close eye on him and have already begun formal talks.

West Ham United Like Daniele Rugani

Gianluca Di Marzio has reported that La Vecchia Signora have a firm interest in Aguerd and are working on a specific formula to finalise the deal. The Italian journalist claims that the centre-back is on the exit ramp and that the Bianconeri want to bring him in, even in a swap deal.

The name that appears as a possible bargaining chip is that of the Italian Daniele Rugani, 30-year-old, a defender that Graham Potter likes. Sky Italia adds that the two clubs have already made contact to explore a mutually beneficial deal. Negotiations are at an early stage, but are on the table.

Opinion:

Accepting a swap deal for Rugani could be seen as a pragmatic way of solving an immediate problem, but it is not without risk. While Rugani offers elite experience and a more understated profile than Aguerd, the Moroccan has room for improvement and physical conditions that make him attractive in the market.

If West Ham believe they can get a fee in the region of €20-25 million for him, the money option seems more consistent with a rebuilding strategy. However, Potter needs immediate reinforcements, and a centre-back like Rugani, who already knows what the top level demands, can fit in without much adaptation.

On the other hand, an exchange with Juventus could mark the start of a more fluid relationship between clubs, which in itself could be useful in the long term. The question is not just whether Rugani is better than Aguerd, but whether his arrival can free up West Ham to invest in other areas of the pitch.

In the current situation, the club must decide whether to prioritise financial value or immediate stability. Bartering may be sensible if no convincing offers come in for Aguerd, but if there is money on the table, it may be worth holding out.