LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: Jesse Lingard of West Ham United celebrates with team mates (L - R) Declan Rice, Pablo Fornals and Tomas Soucek after scoring their side's second goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur at London Stadium on February 21, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Kirsty Wigglesworth - Pool/Getty Images)
Another West Ham star wanted by Liverpool as part of Jurgen Klopp succession plan as ex Hammers reporter makes Nayef Aguerd claim
Another West Ham player is coveted by Liverpool as part of Jurgen Klopp’s succession plan, according to an ex-Hammers reporter.
When the Saudi Pro League transfer market closed last week, we cautioned here on Hammers News that West Ham had not heard the last of Nayef Aguerd’s interest.
And that is already proving to be the case, albeit with a considerably closer threat in the form of Liverpool for the Hammers.
Al-Ittihad, the Saudi champions who signed Fabinho from Liverpool in the summer and also sought Reds sensation Mo Salah, were interested in Aguerd.
Another West Ham star wanted by Liverpool as part of Jurgen Klopp succession plan as ex Hammers reporter makes Nayef Aguerd claim
As a left-footed, ball playing centre-back, Aguerd is a particularly rare commodity in the modern game. And with Saudi sides also specifically targeting elite Muslim players as part of their recruitment drive, the interest in West Ham’s £30m man is hardly surprising.
Now it seems West Ham have more than just the Saudi threat to worry about when it comes to their Moroccan centre-back.
Because another West Ham star wanted by Liverpool as part of a Jurgen Klopp succession plan as an ex Hammers reporter makes a big Aguerd claim.
Jack Rosser used to be The Evening Standard’s West Ham reporter and has contacts at the club.
Now working for The Sun, Rosser claims Klopp has identified Hammers ace Aguerd as the man to bring in to help succeed ageing duo Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip – both 33 before next season.
‘Aguerd is being closely watched by recruitment chiefs at Anfield’
Rosser claims Klopp has been impressed by the West Ham star and wants to base his defensive rebuild around the 27-year-old.
“Morocco international Aguerd is being closely watched by recruitment chiefs at Anfield,” Rosser said.
“His impressive form has attracted interest and with Klopp looking to invest at the back in the next summer window, Aguerd will be high on the list.
“Two of Liverpool’s four central defenders are over 30, with Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip both 32.
“Joe Gomez is 26 but has struggled to establish himself when given the chance, while Ibrahima Konate is 24 but has struggled with injuries.”
First Bowen, now Aguerd as Klopp stalks Hammers
Rosser claims Liverpool – and West Ham in their bid to keep hold of Aguerd – do face a threat from defending champions Man City, though.
He claims Pep Guardiola “admires” Aguerd but has a “less pressing” need to reinforce at the back.
Aguerd is not the only West Ham player catching the eye of Liverpool and Klopp as fans will know only too well.
Klopp has spoken publicly about his admiration for Jarrod Bowen.
And it has long been reported – including recently by The Athletic – that the Reds want him as Salah’s long-term successor.
