Pellegrini wants Nasri to bolster Hammers ranks
WEST Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed he hopes to sign Samir Nasri in January and insisted Marko Arnautovic is going nowhere.
Midfielder Nasri, who played for Pellegrini at Manchester City, is training with the Hammers to build up his fitness following an 18-month doping ban.
Pellegerini, whose side host City tomorrow, needs reinforcements to his injury-hit West Ham squad and he will offer Nasri a contract if the 31-year old Frenchman can get up to speed.
“Samir Nasri is working here with us,” said Pellegrini. “He’s had a long time out with his ban but we are giving him a hand to return to football.
“I hope that from now until the
end of the year he will be fit, and if that is the case we will try to keep him here at West Ham.”
Arnautovic, meanwhile, is the subject of fresh transfer speculation after his brother and representative hinted during the international break that the Austrian forward (29) should be at a club higher up the table.
But Arnautovic is a key figure at West Ham with five goals to his name this season, and Pellegrini is determined not to lose him.
“He is a West Ham player because he has a contract here, he is happy here,” said Pellegrini. “Every player wants to play in the biggest team but I don’t think Marko is thinking about that. He is thinking about West Ham.”
Pellegrini has been boosted by the return of Andy Carroll and Jack Wilshere ahead of the visit of champions City.
Striker Carroll has yet to figure this season after aggravating an ankle problem during the summer, but he played 45 minutes of a behind-closed-doors friendly at Brentford last week and is in contention for a place on the bench.