Marseille eyeing move for West Ham United’s centre-back Nayef Aguerd
Olympique de Marseille are continuing their summer rebuild with a focus on defensive reinforcements, and West Ham United’s centre-back Nayef Aguerd has emerged as their top target. Following a strong Ligue 1 campaign that saw Marseille finish second last season, the club is keen to solidify its backline as they prepare for the upcoming domestic and European challenges.
According to L’Équipe, 29-year-old Nayef Aguerd is now a priority signing for Marseille. The Moroccan international has impressed with his consistency and composure in defense, attracting interest not only from the French side but also from several clubs abroad. Despite the growing competition, Marseille are determined to make a strong push for his signature.
Aguerd has been a key player for West Ham United since joining the Premier League side, making 58 appearances and contributing 4 goals and 1 assist during his time in East London. His performances have not gone unnoticed, with his aerial presence, tactical awareness, and ball-playing abilities making him an attractive option for top-tier clubs looking to bolster their back lines.
Internationally, Aguerd has been equally reliable for Morocco, earning 55 caps and scoring twice. He played an instrumental role during Morocco’s strong international showings in recent years, further solidifying his reputation as a dependable and experienced centre-back.
Euro Football Rumours
Marseille’s pursuit of Aguerd comes amid an already active transfer window for the club. They have secured the services of two new defenders—CJ Egan-Riley, who joined from Burnley on a free transfer, and Facundo Medina, signed from RC Lens for a significant fee. Medina is expected to slot into the starting lineup alongside fellow Argentine and club captain Leonardo Balerdi, assuming Balerdi remains at the club this summer.
While the arrival of Medina and Egan-Riley marks positive steps in reshaping the defensive unit, the addition of a player like Aguerd would significantly elevate Marseille’s backline, especially given the club’s ambitions in both Ligue 1 and European competitions.
However, signing Aguerd will not be straightforward. His current contract at West Ham reportedly includes a high salary, and the Premier League club is likely to demand a substantial transfer fee. This could pose a challenge for Marseille, who must balance their budget while aiming to compete at the highest level.
Still, the interest in Aguerd highlights Marseille’s intent to build a squad capable of sustained success. With their eyes firmly on domestic silverware and a deep European run, Les Phocéens are targeting experienced, high-caliber players who can immediately contribute on the pitch.
As negotiations develop, Marseille fans will be watching closely, hoping that the club can overcome financial hurdles to land their top defensive target before the season kicks off. If successful, the acquisition of Nayef Aguerd would mark another bold step in Marseille’s continued rise under their current project.
For all transfer rumors, news and much more regarding European football stay tuned to us at eurofootballrumours.com.
To stay up to date on the latest from Euro Football Rumours on social media, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
The content of this article does not reflect the official opinion of the eurofootballrumours.com. Responsibility for the information and views expressed in the article lies entirely with the author.
Do Marseille need to sign Nayef Aguerd?
Bologna-born Giuseppe Bianchi has spent more than a decade living in Rome and writing about Italian football, Spanish football and the Premier League for various Italian football portals and now he writes about European football for Euro Football Rumours. He's been thinking about football transfers pretty much nonstop since the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy. Aside from writing, he likes to spend his time fishing and rock climbing.
