Juventus and West Ham discuss centre-back swap deal

Juventus are reportedly exploring a player swap deal with Premier League side West Ham United, with Daniele Rugani and Nayef Aguerd the central figures in negotiations.

According to transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio, the Bianconeri have identified Aguerd as a key defensive target ahead of the summer transfer window.

The 29-year-old Moroccan international, who previously played for Rennes, spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Real Sociedad in La Liga, making 21 league appearances.

To facilitate the move, Juventus are believed to be considering a direct exchange involving Daniele Rugani, who also spent the 2024/25 season on loan this time with Ajax in the Eredivisie, where he played 26 games across all competitions.

Rugani, 30, has been with Juventus since 2012, making 148 first-team appearances and earning seven caps for the Italian national team.

Despite limited opportunities in recent seasons, he was a surprise inclusion in Luciano Spalletti’s final Italy squad, replacing the injured Matteo Gabbia.

While the report doesn’t indicate any financial figures, the proposed swap deal could benefit both clubs. Juventus would gain a younger, physically dominant defender in Aguerd, while West Ham would receive an experienced Italian centre-back with Serie A and Champions League credentials.

Rugani has recently returned to Juventus and is currently training with the squad in the United States for the FIFA Club World Cup, though he was an unused substitute in the 5-0 win over Al Ain.

If talks between the two clubs progress, the Aguerd-Rugani swap could become one of the more intriguing moves of the summer.

Aguerd remains under contract with West Ham, while Rugani’s future in Turin has looked uncertain for some time.

With Juventus’ new general director Damien Comolli reportedly keen on reinforcing the defense, this potential exchange may mark one of his first strategic transfer moves.