ATLETICO MADRID are emerging as favourites to sign West Ham centre-half Nayef Aguerd in a £20million-plus swoop.
The Spanish giants hope to agree a fee with the Hammers for the 28-year-old Moroccan, who is keen to try his luck in LaLiga.
Aguerd’s old club Rennes want him back and could even offer more than Atletico but the player is more interested in a fresh challenge.
West Ham signed the defender from Ligue 1 in a £30m deal in 2022.
He has played 58 times for the Hammers, scoring four times.
During his first season he helped the East Londoners win the Europa Conference League.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
Aguerd played eight times during West Ham's victorious European campaign, including the final.
During his second campaign in England he was limited to just 21 Premier League appearances.
Having started the season as a regular, he dropped out of the team in December after suffering an illness before the Africa Cup of Nations.
He then went away to play for his nation at Afcon, eventually returning in February.
Most read in Football
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
Aguerd would play in just one of the Hammers' last 11 Prem games of the season.
He also featured six times in West Ham's run to the Europa League quarter-finals.
The defender played in both legs of his side's defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.
West Ham lost 3-1 on aggregate to Xabi Alonso's side, who went on to fall in the final to Atalanta.
SUNSPORT'S TRANSFER NEWS LIVE
STAY in the know this summer with The Sun's transfer experts.
Chelsea have been given permission from Leicester to speak to Enzo Maresca.
Liverpool and Chelsea are eyeing a summer move for Crysencio Summerville.
Premier League clubs are targeting Tosin Adarabioyo, who will be a free agent when his Fulham contract expires next month.
Follow our LIVE TRANSFER BLOG for all the latest deals, gossip and exclusives.