It would not be deadline day without a dramatic late hijack midway through a medical. And, if reports are to be believed, West Ham United may yet have something to say in the Marc Guehi to Liverpool saga.
Now, it probably does not need explaining that West Ham United are not going to snatch the England international centre-half from under the noses of the Premier League champions.
Marc Guehi bid farewell to Crystal Palace in the most fitting of circumstances on Sunday night. His stunning curling strike from the edge of the box the visitors’ second in a 3-0 crushing of Aston Villa.
Graham Potter’s Hammers were not the only team to secure themselves a stunning three-goal away victory yesterday afternoon.
But, 24 hours after West Ham stunned Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, speculation suggests that a defence celebrating their first clean sheet of the campaign could yet be beefed up by the addition of Igor Julio from Brighton and Hove Albion.
While Crystal Palace appear to have identified Igor Julio as Guehi’s potential successor – both are left-sided central defenders who love to break the lines from deep – the nature of deadline day means nothing can be considered a ‘done deal’ until scarves are being held up and interviews conducted.
West Ham United could hold up Marc Guehi to Liverpool with Igor Julio hijack
Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett claims that Liverpool are waiting for Igor to join the Eagles before they step up their pursuit of Guehi before the 7pm deadline.
In the meantime, while Igor is undergoing a medical in the capital, Crystal Palace are glancing nervously over their shoulder in fear of a late hijack attempt from down the road at the London Stadium.
“Igor’s move from Brighton to Crystal Palace is holding up Marc Guehi’s move to Liverpool,” Dorsett writes on X. “Palace won’t let Guehi leave til replacements are in.
“Igor is now doing medical at Palace but [there are] concerns West Ham may make late move. Liverpool have plans in place for a Guehi medical in London if it goes close to deadline.”
Formerly of Red Bull Salzburg and Fiorentina, Brighton brought Igor to the Amex for £15 million back in 2023. The 27-year-old Brazilian has been restricted to 37 Premier League games over the last two seasons, however, largely due to a serious hamstring injury.
Palace are reportedly likely to sign Igor on loan, though West Ham cannot yet be discounted.
Ironically, Igor Julio was tipped to replace Nayef Aguerd at Real Sociedad earlier in the window, once the Morocco international’s loan spell in San Sebastian came to an end. Now, it appears that West Ham see Igor as a potential successor for Aguerd at the London Stadium.
Nayef Aguerd is leaving West Ham for French giants Olympique Marseille
Hammers News can confirm that Aguerd is joining Marseille for £17.5 million.
A financial loss, then, for a side who paid nearly double that a couple of summers ago. But after Aguerd refused to play against Nottingham Forest, and after Graham Potter’s side conceded eight goals in two Premier League games with him in their backline, it’s probably safe to say he will not be missed.
“There is hope for deals but more going out than coming in as we try to balance the books,” the top spokesman for West Ham’s owners exclusively told Hammers News on deadline day.
“But we can confirm Aguerd has gone to Marseille.”
West Ham also like Chelsea misfit Axel Disasi.
He is a right footer unlike Aguerd. But if Potter plans to stick with that 4-2-3-1 system which worked wonders on the banks of the Trent, Max Kilman could take up the left-sided centre-back role permanently alongside Dino Mavropanos, Jean-Clair Todibo or potentially Disasi.
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