Billy McKinlay has opened up on two West Ham transfer deals for Thilo Kehrer and Nayef Aguerd as the squad clearing begins.
West Ham need to ship players out in the January transfer window in order to make space for new signings.
Not just in terms of squad places but to satisfy FFP rules with the Hammers at the limit in terms of wages-to-turnover.
New arrivals are very much being targeted if West Ham can move players on, as confirmed to Hammers News by the top source inside the club.
That process has already started with Thilo Kehrer being loaned to Monaco with a view to a permanent move in the summer. West Ham will recoup the £10.5m they paid PSG for the German via a loan payment and £9.9m permanent fee which will be triggered by ‘easily achievable’ add-ons.
McKinlay opens up on West Ham transfers
There is also intense speculation that defender Nayef Aguerd will be sold with interest from Saudi Arabia, France and Italy.
David Moyes sent one of his assistants to cover for him in the pre-Bristol City press conference where he was inevitably asked about window business.
And Billy McKinlay opened up on West Ham transfer deals for duo Kehrer and Aguerd.
Speaking in the West Ham press conference, McKinlay praised Kehrer but admitted it was a ‘good opportunity’ for the bit-part player.
And he was coy when questioned on rumours surrounding Aguerd.
“He’s (Kehrer) had a good 18 months or so, played a significant part in last year’s success in the Europa Conference League win,” McKinlay said.
Coach coy on Aguerd
“This year he’s not had as much game time as he’d have liked and it’s been difficult for him. So I think obviously this is a good opportunity for him to go to Monaco and get some game time. But listen he’s been our player for 18 months and we’ve been delighted to have him.
“I’m not quite privy to the speculation in relation to that one (Aguerd). But listen we’re happy with the players we’ve got, he’s been a really, really important player for us and I wouldn’t want to speculate too much on anything other than that.”
If there was nothing to the Aguerd rumours then McKinlay would have just simply denied them.
So his comments, while guarded, suggest there is very much no smoke without fire. It’s no surprise to us here at Hammers News because we reported over Christmas that Aguerd may have played his last game for West Ham.
Speculation is rife that West Ham will look to use any money raised from selling Aguerd to fund a move for Max Kilman or Jonathan Tah.
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