‘Refused to go’: £30m West Ham player refused to leave the club this summer – journalist
Nayef Aguerd, a defender for West Ham United, resisted Saudi Arabian interest this summer in leaving the organization.
More information about the future of the Moroccan international has been supplied by journalist Santi Aouna.
David Moyes would have been anxious to hang onto the top players in his squad after winning the Europa Conference League at the end of the previous season.
Declan Rice’s departure from West Ham would have been accepted after months of interest from Arsenal.
However, after a disappointing domestic campaign the previous year, it was crucial to keep the remainder of the team together.
Nayef Aguerd was one player generating interest, and Serie A winners Napoli were exploring a transfer.
Clubs in Saudi Arabia were interested in Aguerd, but he refused to leave West Ham, according to Aouna.
The centre-back, who cost Moyes $30 million, was immediately reinserted into the lineup against Luton Town after receiving a red card against Chelsea.
He has already scored a few goals and will be crucial to their Europa League run this season.
Aguerd refused move away from West Ham this summer
Aleksandar Mitrovic left Fulham in London, and Jordan Henderson and Fabinho left Liverpool for the Middle East.
With Mohamed Salah being their primary objective and the Saudi Arabian transfer market still being open, Jurgen Klopp will continue to be concerned by their presence.
The fact that Aguerd turned down a summer transfer will be welcomed by West Ham fans.
Even if the team added Konstantinos Mavropanos as insurance, Aguerd and Kurt Zouma have helped West Ham go undefeated so far this season.
Their domestic performance contrasts sharply with what they displayed last season, and London Stadium spectators will be hoping the international break hasn’t slowed them down.