Liverpool reportedly have strong admiration for West Ham defender Nayef Aguerd, who is now a summer target for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
According to Goal, the Moroccan international is one of many centre-backs Liverpool are tracking ahead of the summer, though Aguerd has endured a rough first year in England due to a long-term injury and West Ham’s overall form.
However, since returning to full fitness, the 27-year-old has been a key player for David Moyes, with Aguerd leading West Ham to Premier League safety as well as the UEFA Europa Conference League final, form that has seemingly caught Liverpool’s attention.
Labelled by the Coaches’ Voice as an ‘aggresive’ defender, Aguerd has won praise this season from the likes of West Ham captain and fellow Liverpool target Declan Rice. Though as reported by Jeunes Footeux, Liverpool could have to fork out as much as €60m (£52m) to sign the centre-back.
Indeed, given Aguerd’s injury record and age, the Anfield side can be forgiven for potentially skipping out on a move for the former Stade Rennais defender. And considering good the centre-back market is this summer, Liverpool should reconsider their interest in the West Ham man.
Liverpool can do better than Aguerd this summer
Aguerd is slowly earning his stripes as a Premier League defender with West Ham after missing most of the year out on the treatment table. Yet for Liverpool, other names out there could prove to be better signings given how much the Reds could do with a younger centre-back.
With Virgil van Dijk in his peak, finding a long-term replacement for the Dutch international will be key, and at 27, Aguerd simply does not fit the bill for what Liverpool need in a defender from this window, with a player aged 23 or younger a better profile for Klopp.