West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini is considering reviving a move for Besiktas midfielder Gary Medel, according to reports in Turkey.
The Chilean admitted back in January that he was lining up a move for the 31-year-old but a switch never materialised. Speaking yesterday about the departure of Pedro Obiang, the Hammers boss signalled his intention to find a replacement:
“Probably Pedro will return to Italy. I spoke with him last season. I told him that we need him in the squad and I cannot allow him to go to Italy but if things go well last season he will have the doors open as like every player. [If West Ham get a] good offer and the player wants to go – not a problem, we will replace him.”
It appears that Medel is the player he has in mind. Some fans on Twitter are not happy about the club pursuing the midfielder:
Awful player. Can you imagine Sanchez and Medel in the middle of the park for us? Jesus wept ??♂️
— ⚒ Forever West Ham ⚒ (@ForeverWestHam4) 22 July 2019
West Ham midfield when the season starts… pic.twitter.com/ZBSbUYXU1J
— Smiff___E (@TCS_helloanddie) 22 July 2019
Pulgar would be so much better as an option. ⚒
— Andy Myson (@andymyson1703) 22 July 2019
Can we change our mind and not be keen on him? Would be cool if Marseille beat us to the punch on this one. No need to have 2 Sanchez’s in the squad
— Michael ⚒ Zdenek (@MichaelZdenek) 22 July 2019
West Ham is becoming a retirement home for never was beens. Plus we seem to pay them well. Give Conor Coventry a chance.
— ⚒ Sapper Mark ⚒ (@Mdp_coyi66) 22 July 2019
May as well have kept Obiang. Medel doesn’t improve us at all
— Ian Roberts (@yanto2134) 22 July 2019
Disappointing
— Andy Myson (@andymyson1703) 22 July 2019
While others think he could be an upgrade on those already in the squad:
So much better then Sanchez
— Paolo (@ellingford_paul) 22 July 2019
That would be cool!
— Scott Randall (@rottenscoundral) 23 July 2019
It’s the type of player we need and another striker
— Kevin Burnett (@rm10kev) 22 July 2019
Medel has played in the Premier League before, but during his only season with Cardiff, he scored no goals, provided one assist and picked up six bookings in 34 appearances.
He is nicknamed the “Pitbull” for a good reason, and while he would add bite to West Ham’s midfield, he wouldn’t exactly offer much in terms of craft or skill.