By Gabriel Agbonlahor

17th Sep, 2023 | 6:00am

Agbonlahor can't believe West Ham could sell Nayef Aguerd after 'huge' Liverpool bid reveal

Gabby Agbonlahor has insisted West Ham must “put their foot down” and refuse to sell Nayef Aguerd at any price.

The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the Irons cannot sell their best players to clubs like Liverpool or Man City if they want to reach the level of their Premier League rivals.

Football Insider revealed on Wednesday (13 September) that West Ham will demand a huge offer to sell centre-back Aguerd in January.

That stance comes amid continued interest from Saudi club Al-Ittihad and new admirers in Liverpool and Man City.

Former Rennes star Aguerd has built a formidable partnership with Kurt Zouma at the heart of the Irons defence.

He has turned out three times for the Irons in the new campaign and was also a huge part of their Europa Conference League success in the 2022-23 season.

West Ham sold captain Declan Rice to Arsenal in the summer window, while off-the-field issues saw Man City abandon their swoop for midfielder Lucas Paqueta.

Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I wouldn’t say that City or Liverpool are rivals of West Ham, because they aren’t at that level.

“But I do feel that if they want to reach that level, they can’t keep selling their best players.

“Paqueta has got to stay, Aguerd has got to stay – they can’t afford to sell them.

“West Ham are a very likeable club at the moment and the fanbase is in tune with the owners again – and most importantly, they’ve got a good squad of players.

“If they want to keep finishing in the European places and progress in the Europa League, they can’t make any more sales.

“I just don’t see any point in allowing Aguerd to go.

“The player might want to leave, but if I’m West Ham I am putting my foot down in January and next summer.”

In other news, three West Ham regulars set for sit-down contract talks.