LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 07: Players of West Ham United observe a minutes silence as part of the Remembrance Day proceedings prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Liverpool at London Stadium on November 07, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Liverpool is considering a move to sign a West Ham player, but Manchester City could ruin the deal.
Liverpool are allegedly interested in signing Nayef Aguerd from West Ham. Manchester City, the defending Premier League winners, are also thought to be fans of the Moroccan international.
During the summer transfer window, Liverpool was looking for a left-footed center-back. Levi Colwill of Chelsea was one of their top targets, but the teenage defender chose to stay at Stamford Bridge and sign a new contract.
Jurgen Klopp spent a lot of time and effort hiring an entire new midfield. Four players were signed for a total sum of roughly £145 million.
Ryan Gravenberch was a late addition from Bayern Munich on deadline day. However, the Reds’ attempts to sign a centre-back were futile.
Klopp’s lack of depth at the defense has already been exposed this season, with Virgil van Dijk suspended and Ibrahima Konate injured. As a result, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez are the only senior options.
And it looks that plans for potential future signings are already in place. According to the Sun, Liverpool is keeping a close eye on Aguerd ahead of a possible raid on West Ham.
Aguerd, 27, is a left-footer who is five years younger than both Van Dijk and Matip. However, according to the same report, City are also fans of the former Rennes player.
After signing Josko Gvardiol for £77 million in July, City’s need for new defenders is not as great as Liverpool’s. However, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are presently the most appealing club in England to join as they look for a fourth consecutive Premier League title after winning the treble last season.
Aguerd joined West Ham for £30 million in 2022, however he only made 17 Premier League starts due to injury. He was connected with a late summer move to the Saudi Pro League, but a contract with Al-Ittihad fell through.
Klopp’s next priority appears to be to improve the defense. Last month, Reds legend Jamie Carragher stated that his old team needed to bring in at least one defender.
“It’s what type of defender you bring in,” Carragher told Sky Sports. Is it a young player who can get on the ball and bring it out from the back, or a left footer who can provide Liverpool with some balance?
“But if I look at all the defenders now, Andy Robertson is the real defender.” He’s been the star, pursuing people, but he’s been racing up and down that line for the past five or six years. It has an effect.
“So I just think they’ll be asked more questions, and without the protection they require, they’ll need someone to steady the ship in there and win one-on-one battles rather than move forward.” They require a true defender, an all-around defender capable of playing across the back four.”
