West Ham player’s actions a real slap in the face to Julen Lopetegui, David Sullivan and Tim Steidten. Whilst West Ham United enjoyed a very productive summer transfer window, things didn’t go completely to plan.
Julen Lopetegui brought nine new players to West Ham in the summer, whilst 12 fringe players left the London Stadium, most of them on loan deals and free transfers. After the West Ham head coach‘s summer business, the Hammers are undoubtedly a stronger side now than when the window opened.
And it has been claimed that Lopetegui is still in the market to bring in at least one more signing on a free transfer. Another key facet to the summer window for the Hammers was the fact that we got rid of much of the deadwood.
The bad news is that the four exits on deadline day or just after, in Kurt Zouma’s case, were all loan deals. However, one of the players who left the club really did us some damage with his eventual decision.
Nayef Aguerd let West Ham down
The Hammers signed Nayef Aguerd from Rennes in the summer of 2022 for a fee believed to be worth £30 million (Sky Sports).
The 28-year-old defender hasn’t been involved for the Hammers at all during competitive games since Lopetegui took over from David Moyes.
He has proven to be a really poor signing for us over the past two years, and is clearly a terrible fit for Premier League football.
But not only has he let us down on the pitch, he let us down off of it as well. Nayef Aguerd rejected a move to leave West Ham to join Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad before he linked up with Sociedad – one that would have seen us pick up £21 million.
As a result, the 28-year-old was shipped out on loan to Sociedad on transfer deadline day on a straight loan – the Spanish club do not have either an option nor an obligation to sign him permanently next summer.
The money that we would have received for the Morocco international would have really helped out. Aguerd decision slap in the face for West Ham. David Sullivan would have been cursing the former Rennes man for his decision not to join Al-Ittihad.
As would Lopetegui and Tim Steidten.
The Hammers desperately needed another striker and a left-back, and had Aguerd moved to Saudi, Lopetegui would have been able to make those signings.
The summer transfer window was a very good one indeed for West Ham, but it could have been so much better.
Although it may sound harsh, Nayef Aguerd prevented Lopetegui and co from completing a 10/10 window for West Ham.
Hopefully we are able to get a decent fee for him next summer.
