Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Charles Aranguiz has confirmed that he did turn down a move to West Ham.

Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini revealed last week that he had tried to sign the 30-year-old. When asked about the potential transfer after Chile’s 1-0 defeat to Uruguay in the Copa America yesterday, Aranguiz said he didn’t want to leave out of loyalty:

“I talked to them [West Ham] last year, but there are other values and I couldn’t leave because of mine. I had to wait for the decision of some people [at Leverkusen] who were very supportive when I was seriously injured, they didn’t want to [sell me].”

Aranguiz spent a large part of his first season at Leverkusen on the sidelines with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

The German club helped his recovery from the injury and kept faith with him as a first team regular following his return to fitness.

Subsequently, Aranguiz has gone on to make 103 appearances for Leverkusen, scoring nine goals and providing 17 assists.

Reports suggest that the Hammers won’t be going after another defensive midfielder this summer, but could consider a low-cost transfer, a loan or a free transfer signing to fill any gaps.

The London club’s focus at the moment appears to be signing more offensive players with a new striker being targeted.