If Lopetegui is dismissed, one player likely to follow the Spaniard could be defender Nayef Aguerd, who is currently thriving on loan at Real Sociedad in La Liga.
The Moroccan international has become a crucial figure for Imanol Alguacil’s side, who are competing for a Champions League spot next season. Sociedad is in impressive form, with four wins in their last five league matches.
Manchester United views Aguerd as a valuable addition for Amorim, while reports suggest Real Madrid is also preparing “decisive” moves to secure the West Ham defender next year.
Following these developments, a Spanish media outlet has revealed the asking price for the “elegant” centre-back. West Ham is reportedly set to demand around £41 million for Aguerd at the end of the season, giving both Amorim and Carlo Ancelotti a clear figure if they wish to pursue talks for La Liga’s rising defensive star.
Lopetegui escapes the West Ham sack after a crucial victory over Wolves
The Premier League clash, dubbed ‘El Sackico’ in the lead-up, saw struggling West Ham edge out Wolves 2-1 on Monday. Goals from Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen secured a vital win for under-pressure manager Julen Lopetegui.
The victory has temporarily saved Lopetegui’s position amid reports that West Ham had been in discussions with other managerial candidates last week, though those talks reportedly fell through. As a result, the Wolves match became a make-or-break moment for the Hammers boss.
| West Ham’s last eight games in all competitions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | Date | Opponent | Competition | Result |
| #17 | 09/12/2024 | Wolves (H) | Premier League | 2-1 win |
| #16 | 03/12/2024 | Leicester City (A) | Premier League | 3-1 loss |
| #15 | 30/11/2024 | Arsenal (H) | Premier League | 5-2 loss |
| #14 | 26/11/2024 | Newcastle United (A) | Premier League | 2-0 win |
| #13 | 09/11/2024 | Everton (H) | Premier League | 0-0 draw |
| #12 | 02/11/2024 | Nottingham Forest (A) | Premier League | 3-0 loss |
| #11 | 27/10/2024 | Man United (H) | Premier League | 2-1 win |
| #10 | 19/10/2024 | Tottenham (A) | Premier League | 4-1 loss |
Despite the crucial three points, the performance was far from convincing, and there is an understanding within the club that Lopetegui’s role remains precarious.
West Ham now faces a pivotal run of fixtures against Bournemouth, Brighton, and Southampton before a daunting match against league leaders Liverpool later this year. These games could be decisive in determining whether Lopetegui remains in charge heading into 2025.
