Nayef Aguerd has reportedly caught the attention of Real Madrid as a result of his performances away from West Ham during his loan spell with Real Sociedad.
Aguerd spent just two seasons playing as a Hammer, and missed a sizeable period through injuries. After 58 appearances for West Ham, he was sent on loan to Sociedad in the summer.
There, he has played 12 games, nine of those coming in La Liga, including a victory over Barcelona, which was one of five clean sheets the defender has helped Sociedad keep in the league this term.
As a result of what is said to be his ability to quickly integrate into the La Liga side and adapt to football in Spain, Real Madrid are reportedly tracking him.
According to Fichajes, good performances – where he has shown defensive solidity, leadership and an ability to play the ball out from the back – have caught the eye of Los Blancos.
It is thought what was hoped by West Ham to give Aguerd minutes away from the club could have become a turning point in his career, with Real potentially looking for defensive reinforcements in January.
Aguerd’s West Ham valuation
In the summer, prior to his loan move to Sociedad, TEAMtalk revealed the Hammers would accept bids in the region of £30million for Aguerd.
Half a season has passed since then, but he still has more than two years left on his contract in London, and is in good form.
As such, if his value is to go in any direction, it will be up rather than down.
Real could be desperate, too, with centre-backs Eder Militao and David Alaba both injured, as well as right-backs Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez.
Real Madrid round-up: Large fee set for Enzo Fernandez
Amid his struggles for minutes at Chelsea, Real are said to have identified Enzo Fernandez as a transfer target, and the Blues have responded by slapping a £100million (€120m/$126m) valuation on the midfielder.
Real have also been told to re-sign Casemiro, whose career at Manchester United appears to be winding down.
Meanwhile, Brahim Diaz is said to be unhappy with Real, and Arsenal are active in pursuit of him.
And Manchester United are hopeful of depriving Real of Eduardo Camavinga, having reportedly opened talks for the midfielder.