(Credit: Imago)

Sunderland get Nayef Aguerd answer as official West Ham United announcement made

Correspondent AUTHORITY Football journalist with experience at the Edinburgh Evening News and GRV Media; Masters graduate from the University of Derby. FOCUS Scottish Premiership coverage with specialist knowledge of Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Aberdeen, and Motherwell. THE INSIGHT Jack utilises a network of club and industry contacts across the Scottish Premiership to deliver verified, high-speed reporting. He provides the tactical and transfer insight behind the headlines to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.

Published on:

25 Jul 2025, 2:31 am

Sunderland have been strongly linked to West Ham United’s Nayef Aguerd in recent weeks.

The Moroccan international fell out of favour at the London Stadium and was sent on loan to Real Sociedad last season.

Now, back at West Ham, rumours have circulated about where Aguerd’s future lies.

Sunderland have been linked with Aguerd as Regis Le Bris looks to improve his defensive options.

Now the transfer saga has developed further as the start of the Premier League season edges closer.

Habib Diarra has been Sunderland's biggest signing so far this summer (Credit: Imago)

Aguerd looks set to stay at West Ham

While Sunderland were interested in Aguerd, plenty of other clubs were also linked, including AC Milan.

However, the centre-back now looks set to stay at the Hammers and will work under Graham Potter this season.

West Ham released a statement on Thursday (24 July) confirming that Aguerd will switch squad numbers from 27 to five ahead of the new campaign.

Nayef Aguerd's West Ham career
Appearances	58
Goals	4
Assists	1
Honours	Europa Conference League x1

Aguerd had previously been a regular for West Ham

This follows the 29-year-old taking part in their recent pre-season friendly against Grasshopper and is now in the squad to travel to the US for the Hammers’ pre-season tour.

Therefore, it seems safe to say that West Ham do not have any interest in selling Aguerd this summer.

Upgrading his number to five - usually a starting centre-back - is pretty telling about where his future lies.

Regis Le Bris now needs to focus on new defensive additions (Credit: Imago)

Le Bris has to target defensive reinforcements

While Sunderland have brought in multiple impressive signings so far this summer, many of the players who have come in occupy the attacking positions.

Now, Le Bris must look to sign defensive reinforcements. It is no good having a great attack if the Black Cats are consistently conceding goals.

While multiple names have been linked to the Stadium of Light, Le Bris now needs to take action to ensure players are brought in before the start of the Premier League season.

Hopefully more moves will now be made over the coming weeks to ensure a new defender is brought in for the West Ham match.

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Nayef Aguerd