West Ham’s bid to sign Samir Nasri on a free transfer has hit a stumbling block over the player’s fitness, according to reports.
The Frenchman has not played for over a year due to an 18-month doping ban, but the Hammers were reportedly prepared to offer the 31-year-old £80,000 a week for a six-month deal.
Nasri had a medical yesterday but it has since transpired that it will take him a fair while to get up to match fitness, leading to West Ham reconsidering the offer they made to the player.
Many fans on Twitter are now hoping that the deal for the midfielder doesn’t go ahead:
Thank goodness
— Shaun Richards (@richards_shaun) November 12, 2018
Gutted – not
— ⚒ DAVE G ⚒ #IRONS (@D_G_00DYWHUFC) November 12, 2018
West Ham realised its isn’t 2010??
— Steven Groves (@stevegroves1979) November 12, 2018
Thank god!
— Daniel Dean (@DixieDean78) November 12, 2018
Good
— Hammaz (@waynezantac) November 12, 2018
We won’t offer Rice the very fair amount he’s after but can throw 80k a week at Samir Nasri. Classic West Ham #WHUFC
— Richard Bellfry (@RichardBellfry) November 12, 2018
If it’s not right for West Ham, then see later Nasri ?⚒
— Bob Collison (@collison_bob) November 13, 2018
Suprise surprise Samir Nasri is unfit. Geezer hasn’t played for 18 months. Priorities West Ham Sort Declan Rice contract out first! #WHUFC This club omdzzzzz
— Christian (@Christian001122) November 13, 2018
So we are gonna pay Nasri 80k a week to sit on our bench but won’t pay @_DeclanRice 40 k per week wake up @davidgold pay what is due Declan all day long #whufc @whufc
— Darren Wood (@dazzaaw) November 13, 2018
The former Arsenal and Manchester City player’s ban ends on December 31st so he would be available to play from January, but it seems it will take a while for him to be ready for Premier League football.
With the club committed to paying him £80k a week for six months, some of that money will essentially be wasted on him getting fit. The Hammers reportedly would have the option to extend his stay for a further year, but that depends on Nasri performing on the pitch.
The ex France international was playing in Turkey for Antalyaspor; a far cry from playing in the intensity of the Premier League. While Manuel Pellegrini has managed him during his time at City, the club would have to put faith in the Chilean to get the best out of him.
