Juventus appear to have emerged as the most likely problem-solvers when it comes to Nayef Aguerd’s desire to draw a line under his disappointing spell at Premier League outfit West Ham United.
As Bayer Leverkusen turn to Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah, as Real Sociedad agree terms with Igor Julio of Brighton, as rumoured interest from Atletico Madrid is yet to progress and as Roma cool their pursuit of West Ham’s forgotten man, Juventus – at least – remain at the table.
Juventus coach Igor Tudor refused to rule out a potential deal for Nayef Aguerd ahead of last weekend’s 4-1 Club World Cup hammering of Moroccan outfit Wydad Casablanca.
Italian reporter Gianluca di Marzio, meanwhile, claims that the Serie A giants could offer Daniele Rugani as a makeweight. West Ham value Aguerd in the region of £17 million. A fee that Juve appear keen to drag down via the inclusion of a five-time Scudetto-winning centre-back with seven Italy caps on an impressive CV.
West Ham United move looks unlikely for Juventus defender Daniele Rugani
An Aguerd – Rugani swap, though, appears to be a non-starter.
Hammers News understands that, while Rugani has featured on the club’s radar in the past, West Ham are currently not interested in signing a defender who will celebrate his 31st birthday in July.
Rugani is coming off the back of a poor loan spell with Ajax, after all, in which he started only seven Eredivisie matches.
Sport Italia have provided an update of their own this week. In addition to West Ham, Serie A duo Bologna and Sassuolo are two more clubs who have been sounded out as a potential destination for Daniele Rugani.
There is, however, ‘nothing concrete’ in terms of discussions or interest with any of the trio as things stand.
That the Hammers have little interest in signing a player with eleven trophies under his belt comes as no real surprise.
West Ham are focused on young, hungry players this summer. Gone are the days of signing ageing big-names on big wages, Guido Rodriguez perhaps the last of that particular breed to underwhelm in a claret and blue shirt.
West Ham wanted CJ Egan-Riley as they target younger players
West Ham signed ex-Juventus target Jean-Clair Todibo on a £32 million permanent deal after the close of the 2024/25 campaign. While the Frenchman struggled during his debut season at the London Stadium, he still possesses plenty of untapped potential and considerable re-sale value at the age of just 25.
Former Burnley and Manchester City youngster CJ Egan-Riley, meanwhile, was seemingly the club’s number one centre-back target heading into the summer. At 22, the Marseille newbie is a prime example of the sort of player West Ham are prioritising these days.
Hammers News understands that West Ham did not give up on Egan-Riley until he finally put pen to paper with the Ligue 1 runners-up a fortnight ago.
As for Aguerd, it was Roma’s former technical director Florent Ghisolfi who was driving the talks with the 2022 World Cup semi-finalist. Ghisolfi is now set to leave Roma for Sunderland.
His replacement at the Stadio Olimpico, Frederic Massara, appears to have shifted the Giallorossi’s focus towards Bologna ace Jhon Lucimi instead.
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