Real Madrid could approach West Ham United in a move to sign Nayef Aguerd this winter, according to a report from Fichajes. 

Conference League winner Nayef Aguerd left the Hammers on loan this summer after two seasons and 58 appearances in Claret and Blue. The Morocco International secured a move to Spanish side Real Sociedad.

The former Rennes defender has already earned rave reviews in his short spell in La Liga. According to Fichajes, good performances – where he has shown defensive solidity, leadership, and his ability to play the ball out from the back well – have caught the eye of Los Blancos.

The Hammers loaned out Aguerd in the hopes he could rediscover his form that we did see at times in a West Ham shirt and he seems to have done that already after just twelve matches. Likely, his outstanding performance in Sociedad’s 1-0 win against Barcelona before the International break is what has caught the eye of Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid.

It is almost certain that Real Madrid will sign a central defender in January. Eder Militao has been ruled out for nine months with an ACL injury, and David Alaba is also still recovering from the same injury. So that leaves Los Blancos with just one senior centre-back, Antonio Rudiger.

Nayef Aguerd could be the man they move for after impressing at the heart of the second-best defence in LaLigs so far this season. However, it could be a difficult one in January as his loan at Real Sociedad doesn’t expire until January. The Hammers would likely have to pay to recall the defender before selling him on, which could become complicated.

In the summer, prior to his loan move to Sociedad, TEAMtalk revealed the Hammers would accept bids in the region of £30million for Aguerd. It is likely that after his stock as risen, especially in Spain, West Ham would again demand a similar fee in January.