Julen Lopetegui looks set to get a £30m transfer kitty cash bonus as a West Ham auction for an unwanted star attracts two bidders.
There has been intense debate, focus and criticism of West Ham’s reported transfer budget.
Yesterday we reported that West Ham’s transfer budget is over £100m as the club looks to make between six to eight signings.
With Lucas Paqueta set to stay as a result of the FA charges against him, the Hammers will be denied £85m to spend on players.
But it does mean they don’t have to find a replacement for him in the next window – a job which may have proved difficult given he is one of the best players in the Premier League on his day.
To many West Ham fans £100m is simply not enough for the volume of players needed.
It’s easy to see why they think that way. As a crude average, it means technical director Tim Steidten and new head coach Julen Lopetegui have just £12.5m to spend per signing.
And West Ham’s first capture of the summer – defender Fabricio Bruno from Flamengo – has cost almost precisely that figure.
Concerns over West Ham transfer budget
There are concerns West Ham are going to have to shop in the bargain basement for this important rebuild.
Even £30-40m signings like Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez look out of West Ham’s reach this summer.
But while it’s obvious the Hammers won’t be competing with the elite for star signings, it’s always been how you spend and not what you spend.
With so many clubs in financial difficulty and facing pressure to raise funds to meet PSR and FFP rules, there are also some bargains to be had.
Not to mention a vibrant free agent market this summer. There are also a host of quality players going into the final years of their contracts which is forcing clubs to sell this summer.
Even so any further cash that can be raised towards signings will be extremely welcome.
And it seems there’s some very good news on that front from a journalist overnight.
£30m kitty bonus as auction attracts 2 bidders
Because Lopetegui looks set to get a £30m transfer kitty cash bonus as a West Ham auction for an unwanted star attracts two bidders.
According to reporter Alan Nixon, the Hammers have started a bidding war for Nayef Aguerd between Atletico Madrid and his old club Rennes.
Nixon says Aguerd’s stock in Europe remains high despite his struggles with the physicality of England football since joining West Ham from Rennes for £30m two years ago.
So much so both the Ligue 1 side and Atleti are very keen, even at £30m. After years of being frugal both clubs have the funds to do the deal.
It is claimed a move to Atletico would appeal to Aguerd more than a return to Rennes.
“West Ham are ready to sell centre half Nayef Aguerd – with French giants Rennes and ambitious Spanish side Atletico Madrid fighting it out,” Nixon states on his Patreon.
“Hammers will cash in as they look to change their back line and play a new way under Lopetegui.”
Deal of the decade if Hammers can get £30m for Aguerd
This would be a massive boost for West Ham.
And the hope will be that Saudi may yet even enter the bidding to bump the price up further.
If West Ham manage to get £30m back for Aguerd it would be one of the deals of the decade.
The Moroccan is weak, error prone and inconsistent. He has also looked like a player whose heart has not been in it at times during his spell with West Ham.
Aguerd lost his place last season after continuing his poor form.
And although he put in the odd impressive display and has a decent left-foot, Aguerd has been another poor Rob Newman and David Moyes signing.
With an extra £30m, Lopetegui and Steidten can up the ante when looking to strengthen the team.
