AC Milan Eyes West Ham’s Aguerd Amid Defensive Crisis, Faces Uphill Battle

Deprived of its three first-choice central defenders Fikayo Tomori, Malick Thiaw and Pierre Kalulu who are suffering from serious muscle injuries and will remain away from the pitches for a few weeks, AC Milan is trying to recruit Nayef Aguerd during the January transfer window, reports The Standard. But the club must overcome major obstacles before bringing the Moroccan international to Italy.

The Rossoneri "are also known to be admirers" of Aguerd - who cost West Ham 32 million euros when they signed him from Rennes in 2022 - but they "would prefer a loan deal" while the London club "only accepts a permanent sale", the publication explains. Another major obstacle: West Ham manager David Moyes will let the 27-year-old player leave on condition that the club manages to find a replacement before the close of the winter transfer window.

Arrived at West Ham in June 2022 from Rennes as part of a £26.7 million contract, Nayef Aguerd has delivered good performances in London. He notably scored the only goal of the match against Southampton in April in the 25th minute of play, thus saving his club from relegation. The Hammers had gone from 19th to 14th place, which allowed them to get out of the red zone. The 27-year-old player also helped his club win the Europa Conference League. During the summer transfer window, several Premier League clubs, as well as clubs from Saudi Arabia, expressed interest in the Atlas Lion, but he preferred to stay in London.

Aguerd is one of the architects of the historic run of the Moroccan team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He is on the list of 27 players selected by national coach Walid Regragui to participate in the next Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) to be held from January 13 to February 11, 2024 in Ivory Coast.