Late last night, reports broke that Juventus have opened negotiations with West Ham United over a potential swap deal involving Nayef Aguerd and Daniele Rugani.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, contact has already been made between the two clubs, with the Italian side pushing to bring Aguerd to Turin as part of their summer rebuild.
The Moroccan defender has made it clear he wants out, reportedly asking not to return for pre-season. And while his time at West Ham had flashes of promise, the fit was never quite right.
Juventus Want Aguerd
Aguerd is being viewed as a key defensive target by the Bianconeri, with Italian outlets confirming he’s firmly on their radar after a loan spell at Real Sociedad where he featured in 21 La Liga matches.
Reports from Get Italian Football News state that talks are still at an early stage, but a player exchange involving Rugani is being considered as a way to make the deal happen. Another report added that this comes amid a wider defensive shake-up at Juventus, who could lose more than one centre-back this window.
The 29-year-old Aguerd has also previously played for Rennes in Ligue 1 before arriving in east London, where he made over 50 appearances in claret and blue.
Rugani Offered in Return
As part of the proposed swap, Juventus are prepared to include Daniele Rugani in the deal. The Italian defender has been on their books since 2012 and made 148 appearances for the club.
He spent last season out on loan at Ajax, featuring 26 times across all competitions. Rugani is currently with the Juventus squad in the United States for the FIFA Club World Cup but hasn’t played, sitting on the bench during their 5–0 win over Al Ain.
He was also a late call-up to Luciano Spalletti’s final Italy squad earlier this month, stepping in for the injured Matteo Gabbia.
Aguerd’s Time at West Ham Looks Over
While Aguerd showed glimpses of quality on the ball, his time at West Ham was marred by inconsistency and defensive lapses. He’s the kind of centre-back who thrives in high-possession, proactive systems.
Under David Moyes, in a side that sat deep and absorbed pressure, he often looked out of place. The same is likely to be the case under Potter too, and with that in mind a clean break looks inevitable.
What Happens Next?
The deal is still in its early stages, and no fee has been disclosed, but the logic behind it is clear on both sides. West Ham need to reshape their defence, and Juventus are in the market for a left-footed ball-playing centre-back.
Since then, it has been reported that Roma have now submitted a bid for the defender.
