BBC sport share ‘Extraordinary’ player exit update with West Ham United aware

West Ham United may consider ‘extraordinary’ Nayef Aguerd bid – Sky Sports

West Ham will only consider talks with Al-Ittihad if an “extraordinary” bid is tabled for centre-back Nayef Aguerd, according to Sky Sports.

The reliable news source posted on its live blog on Tuesday [5 September, 10:25] that no offers have yet been made for the Morocco international.

Saudi Pro League teams have until 10pm on Thursday [7 September] to conduct their business, with it being unlikely that anything progresses on this front.

The update from Sky Sports read: “Al Ittihad are trying to make a late move for West Ham centre-back Nayef Aguerd.

“No bid has been made yet and the player is not for sale.

“West Ham are aware of the interest but are not willing to do business – unless the bid was extraordinary – because they would not be able to sign a replacement.”

Makes no sense

As is the case with any approach from Saudi teams in 2023, West Ham must take this seriously.

Goal reported on its Arabic website on Monday [4 September] that Aguerd has been offered 10 times his current salary to make the move to the Middle East.

No matter who you , that is a staggering leap in pay pretty much overnight and something you would have to seriously consider.

But given the player is under contract at London Stadium until 2027, West Ham very much holds all the cards as far as any transfer is concerned.

It is tough to put a figure on exactly what an “extraordinary” bid would be, but realistically a large enough offer to tempt the Hammers is unlikely to be made this week.

They may have brought in Konstantinos Mavropanos this summer, but Aguerd is a regular in the backline and cannot be replaced until January.

Besides, United have no reason to cash in, so this is hopefully a rumour that comes to little between now and the Saudi window closing.