Real Madrid might launch the offensive in January to sign 28-year-old Moroccan defender Nayef Aguerd, currently on loan at Real Sociedad from West Ham United.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Nayef Aguerd is the subject of interest from Real Madrid. The reigning La Liga champions are scouring the market for a centre-back heading into the summer transfer window after Eder Militao picked up a season-ending knee injury. The Moroccan international has thus emerged as a target. However, Los Blancos will have to break the loan deal between Real Sociedad and West Ham United to land him.
Nayef Aguerd and his rollercoaster career
Nayef Aguerd has found a stable footing since joining Real Sociedad from West Ham United on a season-long loan deal in the summer transfer window. The East London club signed him in a deal worth £30 million from Stade Rennais in July 2022. However, he blew hot and cold in his first two seasons with West Ham, struggling to nail down his spot in the starting lineup.
Meanwhile, the 28-year-old has made his mark at Real Sociedad this season, emerging as a rare bright spot in an underwhelming 2024/25 campaign thus far for La Real. Aguerd has amassed over 1,000 minutes of game time in 12 appearances in all competitions, becoming a mainstay at the back for the Basque outfit.
The Moroccan defender’s progress at Real Sociedad has not gone unnoticed, and another spell in La Liga might be on the cards for him. The report by Fichajes has claimed that Aguerd has emerged as a target for Real Madrid, with Los Blancos mulling over securing his services in the January transfer window.
Will Real Madrid sign Aguerd?
Real Madrid’s interest in Nayef Aguerd is surprising yet understandable. While the African centre-back does not have the quality to become the undisputed first-choice centre-back for Real Madrid, the reigning La Liga champions need a new central defender after losing Eder Militao to a season-ending knee injury this past weekend.
In addition, David Alaba is no closer to returning from a long-term knee issue, thus necessitating the arrival of a new centre-back. So, several central defenders, including Jarrad Branthwaite, have emerged on Real Madrid’s radar. However, Aguerd is a more realistic target, considering Everton might not entertain bids in the January transfer window.
Meanwhile, signing Aguerd from West Ham will be complicated, as the Hammers first need to terminate his loan deal with Real Sociedad before accepting an offer from Real Madrid. So, it will be interesting to see if a convoluted arrangement sees the light of day. La Real will not have a say in the matter as they do not have an option or obligation to secure his services.
