Manuel Pellegrini rules out West Ham move for Yaya Toure as ex-Manchester City midfielder remains free agent
Toure is available on a free transfer after leaving City in the summer, but a reunion with Pellegrini does not appear to be on the cards at the London Stadium
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Your support makes all the difference.West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini has ruled out an imminent move for Yaya Toure.
The duo won the 2013/14 Premier League title together at Manchester City, and recent reports have linked the Hammers with a move for the veteran midfielder.
However, Pellegrini said: “Yaya is a very good player. In his position at this moment we have our players.
“He will always be a good player for any team, but for the moment he is not for West Ham. For the moment, the squad is complete.”
The Chilean likewise stated that he does not expect any other outgoings before the European transfer market closes at the end of the month. “The squad (that we have) is the squad that I want for this season. I don’t think that we are going to have any other player going out at the moment.”
The 64-year-old also cast doubt on whether he would hand debuts to two of his nine summer signings in Carlos Sanchez and Lucas Perez.
Colombian Sanchez joined from Fiorentina on a two-year deal while his Spanish teammate arrived from London rivals Arsenal for a fee of £4m, and while they now have a full week under their belts at their news club, the manager hinted at a role among the substitutes for this weekend’s visit of Bournemouth to the London Stadium.
“I cannot tell you now,” Pellegrini said. “Carlos just arrived on the last day, he has worked just one week, Lucas Perez is similar. We will see if they are at least able to come to the bench.”
The former City manager did however sing the praises of fellow newcomer Felipe Anderson.
“He’s a fast player, he’s a mix between a winger and a midfielder. I think that important players like Yarmolenko, Felipe and Lucas Pérez are creative and offensive players. They will bring that creation to our team,” he said.
Pellegrini will hope that creativity arrives sooner rather than later after their 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool last weekend, however he acknowledged that the supporters will continue to rally around his side.
“Every fan demands the best of their team. I know the fans of West Ham but they always support their team, sometimes they have less patience but I think that all the fans are demanding for good results of their squad.
“I don’t think we are going to have any problems with the fans,” he claimed.
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