Olympique de Marseille are pressing ahead with their summer transfer plans, placing particular emphasis on strengthening their defense. One name has now emerged as the club’s primary objective: West Ham United centre-back Nayef Aguerd. After securing second place in Ligue 1 last season, Marseille are eager to reinforce their squad with experienced talent ahead of what promises to be a demanding campaign both domestically and in Europe.

As reported by L’Équipe, the 29-year-old Moroccan defender has become a leading target for the French side. Known for his reliability and poise at the heart of defense, Aguerd has not only caught Marseille’s attention but has also generated interest from other European clubs. Despite this competition, the Ligue 1 giants are said to be ready to pursue him aggressively.

Standing at 190 cm, Aguerd has been a regular for West Ham United since arriving in the Premier League. Over the course of 58 appearances for the London-based club, he has netted four goals and provided one assist. His blend of physical strength, positional intelligence, and technical ability on the ball makes him a valuable asset for any team seeking defensive reinforcement.

On the international stage, Aguerd has also proved his worth, earning 55 caps for Morocco and scoring two goals. He played a pivotal role in Morocco’s recent strong performances in international tournaments, showcasing his leadership and defensive acumen on the global stage.

According to Transfermarkt, Aguerd’s current market value is estimated at €18 million—a figure that reflects both his skill set and experience at the top level. However, acquiring him won’t come cheap. The Moroccan is on a substantial wage at West Ham, and the Premier League side is unlikely to let him go without a significant transfer fee.

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Marseille’s pursuit of Aguerd comes during an already busy summer window. The club has already secured two new signings in defense: CJ Egan-Riley, who arrived on a free transfer after his contract with Burnley expired, and Facundo Medina, who was signed from RC Lens in a high-profile deal. Medina is expected to form a central defensive partnership with Leonardo Balerdi—provided the Argentine captain stays at the club.

While both new additions are promising, bringing in a player of Aguerd’s calibre would further solidify Marseille’s ambitions to compete at the highest level. His experience in one of Europe’s most competitive leagues, combined with his international pedigree, would bring a new dimension to the backline.

Still, challenges remain. The financial demands of both West Ham and the player could prove difficult for Marseille to meet, especially within the framework of Financial Fair Play and the club’s long-term planning. Nevertheless, their continued interest underlines a clear strategy: to build a team capable of achieving consistent success in Ligue 1 and making an impact in European competitions.

As talks progress, Marseille supporters will be eagerly awaiting updates, hopeful that the club can finalize a deal for Aguerd. Should the move materialize, it would represent a significant statement of intent from Les Phocéens as they aim to return to the summit of French and European football.

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Should Marseille make a move for Nayef Aguerd this summer?