West Ham set to complete first summer deal: Potter’s wishes IGNORED in €20m deal

Robin Bairner

• 28 May 2025 13:30 BST
• 6 min read

News

West Ham United are on the verge of completing their first transfer of the summer – but it’s unlikely to be one that will please manager Graham Potter.

The Hammers endured a disappointing season in the Premier League, finishing 14th, and now Potter will be given his first full transfer window with the Irons.

It has already been confirmed that Vladimir Coufal, Danny Ings, Lukasz Fabianski and Aaron Cresswell will depart as free agents, but forgotten man Nayef Aguerd is set to follow these players out the door in a lucrative move for West Ham.

Current ETV

Nayef Aguerd

D (C)

Real Sociedad

Nayef Aguerd

D (C)

Real Sociedad

€25.4M

ETV Range

€22.9M - €28M

View full profile

The 29-year-old centre-back endured a difficult couple of seasons in East London after a €35 million move from Ligue 1 side Rennes and is now destined to depart for around half that figure.

He has spent the last year on loan at Real Sociedad, where he was a regular in the starting XI for a side that finished comfortably mid-table in La Liga.

These performances have prompted interest from a clutch of Champions League clubs.

Bayer Leverkusen, Atletico Madrid and Marseille are all interested in signing the Morocco international star, according to FootMercato, which says that there will be a “hard fight” for his signature. It is stated that a transfer fee of around €15-20 million is likely for a player who is out of contract in two years.

This is a dream scenario for West Ham, who may have feared a lack of interest in the 29-year-old. With three clubs chasing his signature, this should guarantee a healthy transfer fee.

Marseille, in particular, seem to be keen on signing Aguerd, with the French source reporting that he is their “priority” signing for the summer.

Potter wants Aguerd to stay

This is not such good news for Graham Potter, who had been hopeful of reintegrating the player into his plans, according to TalkSport.

“With the Hammers unable to spend big due to PSR restrictions, Potter sees Aguerd as an opportunity to save cash,” it stated.

“However, the Morocco international has made it clear he has no intention of returning to London Stadium.”

Football transfer news headlines today

CONFIRMED: 'Next big Liverpool' transfer as Arne Slot sends MILLIONS to PSG

Fabrizio Romano names the SIX players Man City want to sign in €290m summer spending spree

Cristiano Ronaldo contract talks with Crystal Palace owner: 'Similar' deal to Al-Nassr offered

Garnacho not even hiding he wants to leave Man Utd as Malaysia tour kicks off

EXCLUSIVE: Aston Villa target Joao Pedro in €69m move after Rashford U-turn

The FootballTransfers app

Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.

The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:

•Google Play

•App Store