West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui gestures during the Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Albion. (Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images)
West Ham United are preparing to part ways with Andy Irving, according to reports.
The Scottish midfielder was signed from Austria Klagenfurt in the summer of 2023 before immediately returning on loan — scoring 10 goals and providing five assists in 30 appearances in all competitions last season.
Irving was stuck at London Stadium in the previous transfer window — Despite being associated with Atlanta — but has managed just 60 minutes in six appearances in all competitions for the Hammers this season.
At 24 and still capped for Scotland at senior level, Irving needs to find a club where he can be a regular in the first team to further his career.
Andy Irving from the Celtics?
According to athleticIrving could return to Scotland this January, with Glasgow giants Celtic keen to sign the midfielder.
Irving has previous experience at Hearts in his homeland, making 59 appearances for the Edinburgh side between 2017 and 2021, scoring five goals.
Nayef Aguirre gives West Ham update
While Irving seems certain to leave West Ham, Nayef Aguirre’s future remains unclear.
The Moroccan centre-back helped West Ham win the UEFA Conference League in 2022/23 but struggled last season.
Aguirre was loaned out to Real Sociedad in the summer and has established himself as a regular starter, totaling 1,506 minutes in 18 appearances across all competitions.
But Aguirre has two years left on his contract should he return from Spain. Even he is not sure what will happen next.
“I still have two years left on my contract with West Ham, but now I’m only thinking about helping La Real as much as possible in three competitions and then it’s time to think about the future,” the centre-back said.
“I don’t know if I have to go back, I don’t know if I stay here, I don’t know if I go anywhere else, it’s out of my hands.”
