Kaveh Solhekol says West Ham will only sell Nayef Aguerd to Al-Ittihad on one condition in a major update live on TV.
The summer transfer window may be closed but West Ham are still being linked with incomings AND outgoings.
The Hammers are due to make a decision on signing free agent Jesse Lingard in the coming week before handing their 25-man squad list to the Premier League.
But some West Ham players also continue to be linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League.
None more so than the club’s Moroccan central defender Nayef Aguerd.
The likes of Sky Sports and Football Insider have been reporting on interest in Aguerd from Saudi champions Al-Ittihad.
The Saudi Pro League window closes at 10pm UK time on Thursday and there has been speculation that Al-Ittihad will try to tempt West Ham into selling Aguerd before their deadline having reportedly made a move earlier in the summer.
Now Sky Sports’ chief reporter has had his say having spoken to sources at West Ham.
Kaveh Solhekol says West Ham will only sell Aguerd to Al-Ittihad on one condition in a major update live on TV.
West Ham signed Aguerd from Rennes for £30m last summer.
And speaking on Sky Sports News on Tuesday lunchtime (11.20am), Solhekol says West Ham would only consider selling him if they received an “extraordinary” bid in the next two days.
“Another player who they really, really want is Nayef Aguerd, the West Ham centre-back,” Solhekol said.
“Again (it’s) Al-Ittihad, the champions of Saudi Arabia, it’s not just Mo Salah they want, they want Aguerd as well.
“Now West Ham are aware of the interest but what we’re being told is that the player is not for sale and that they wouldn’t do business because they can’t sign a replacement – unless they get a truly extraordinary offer.
“So again I think the player is going to stay because West Ham can’t sign a replacement.”
They may not be able to sign a replacement but that has not stopped West Ham selling players in the past.
The Hammers have sold players before without replacing them or having replacements lined up. From Dimitri Payet and Marko Anautovic to Sebastien Haller and Gianluca Scamacca.
West Ham’s centre-back pool currently consists of Aguerd, Kurt Zouma, Thilo Kehrer, Angelo Ogbonna and new £20m signing Konstantinos Mavropanos.
Edson Alvarez can play at centre-back as has Ben Johnson in the past.
Stranger things have happened, it will be interesting to see if the Saudi club does test West Ham’s resolve with a ‘truly extraordinary’ bid.