I have to say, I wasn’t expecting much of a return when West Ham eventually offloaded Nayef Aguerd during the last transfer window.
After all, the Hammers had spent the best part of 18 months trying to find a buyer for the Moroccan, who seemed to have far grander ideas of where he should play than the actual clubs bidding for him.
However, as the summer window drew to a close, Aguerd accepted a loan move to Real Sociedad after rejecting offers from Turkey and Germany. Initial inspection suggested that the no-frills short-term deal wouldn’t massively benefit West Ham, with a low loan fee, subsidised wages, and no obligation to buy.
But it turns out Aguerd is starting to resemble the player who convinced David Moyes to fork out £30 million for him, as he’s set La Liga alight. Sociedad beat Barcelona at the weekend, with Aguerd earning rave reviews that have sparked fresh interest in his services. I must admit that I checked if my phone needed an update or at least a new prescription for my glasses when I read that Real Madrid were preparing a bid.
In just a few months, West Ham’s depreciating asset looks like one of the best defenders around. If he maintains his form, the Irons could expect a bidding war next summer, with £25 million being the general consensus on his value.
Who’d have thought it?
