West Ham’s fall-back option if they are unable to sign ‘extraordinary’ player

West Ham United are looking at Nayef Aguerd of Rennes as a potential alternative to Nikola Milenkovic, according to The Times.

What’s the story?

The Times have reported that West Ham want to sign Milenkovic from Fiorentina in the summer transfer window. 

The Hammers value the central defender at £12 million and are trying to convince him to move to London Stadium.

However, if the 23-year-old Serbia international – who can also play as a right-back and was described as “extraordinary” by Fiorentina-owned Marseille defender Pol Lirola in X-Sport in March 2020 – does not move to the Hammers, then David Moyes’s side will look at Aguerd of Rennes.

Good plan?

It is very encouraging to know that West Ham have a fall-back option.

Aguerd is a good and capable defender who has played six times for Morocco and joined Rennes in 2020.

The Rennes no.6 scored three goals and gave one assist in 35 Ligue 1 games for Rennes last season.

Perhaps West Ham will not have to fall back on their back-up plan.

Gianluca Di Marzio have reported that if Fiorentina sign Matija Nastasic from Schalke, then they will sell Milenkovic to the Hammers.

We covered the report here on HITC Sport.