Liverpool are considering a move for West Ham’s Nayef Aguerd in the next summer transfer window as part of Jurgen Klopp’s efforts to reshape the team’s defence, according to reports from the Sun.
The Reds have a strong interest in Aguerd but will have competition from Premier League champions Manchester City in their pursuit of the player next year.
It is understood that Liverpool are closely monitoring the Moroccan international, indicating their potential intent to sign him.
Having already revamped their midfield this summer, Klopp is now focusing on rebuilding the defence, with Aguerd emerging as a significant target.
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The 27-year-old defender made a move to West Ham from Rennes in 2022 for a fee of £30 million, and his market value remains the same, suggesting that he wouldn’t be an overly expensive signing.
During his two-year spell at Rennes, Aguerd was a regular presence, amassing 80 appearances, scoring seven goals, and contributing four assists across all competitions.
Injuries have hindered Aguerd since his arrival in England, limiting him to just 33 appearances. However, he played a crucial role in helping David Moyes’s team secure the UEFA Europa Conference League title by defeating Fiorentina 2-1 in the final.
This season, Aguerd has been in excellent form, notably scoring in a 3-1 home victory against Chelsea before receiving a second yellow card and being sent off for a bookable offence.
He has made three appearances for West Ham in the current campaign, and the team remains undefeated, sitting in 4th place in the Premier League table with 10 points.
Klopp is facing concerns with his ageing defence, as both the captain Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip are 32 years old.
Additionally, Matip, Joe Gomez, and Ibrahima Konate have a history of injuries, making them unreliable options, as demonstrated in recent seasons.
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Presently, Konate is sidelined with an injury and has missed Liverpool’s recent victories over Newcastle United and Aston Villa.
The 24-year-old is expected to return to full training this week ahead of Liverpool’s upcoming league match against Wolves on Saturday.
Signing Aguerd would provide Liverpool’s defence with valuable stability, particularly in light of his standout performances for Morocco at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Aguerd played a pivotal role for the Moroccan national team, helping them secure a fourth-place finish in the tournament. During the World Cup journey, Morocco defeated strong teams like Belgium and Portugal on their way to the semi-finals.
