West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini has ruled out the club making a move for free agent midfielder Yaya Toure.
The Hammers have been linked with a swoop for the Premier League title winner in recent days, but Evening Standard journalist Jack Rosser tweeted on his personal Twitter account that that would not be the case.
Pellegrini rules out a move for free agent and former #MCFC player Yaya Toure. #WHUFC
— Jack Rosser (@JackRosser_) August 16, 2018
The Ivory Coast international was released by Manchester City this summer after eight years at the club, and is now without a team for the first time in his career.
West Ham have recruited heavily this transfer window, and despite the window closing last week, they have continued to be linked with Toure. However, no move appears to be on the cards at this time.
OPINION
Carlos Sanchez’s deadline day signing from Fiorentina probably ended the Hammers interest in Toure, with the club now well stocked in central midfield. Jack Wilshere and captain Mark Noble manned the midfield in a new look formation for the club against Liverpool on Sunday, and it’s unclear where Toure would fit in that system. Although the Ivorian would have joined on a free transfer, his wage demands would likely have been astronomical, even for West Ham. This feels like a move that bad teams make, so it’s good to see Pellegrini resisting the urge to sign his former City charge. Toure is now 35 years of age, with his best days certainly behind him. He was a bit part player at best for City during their Premier League title winning campaign last season, and he would likely slow down the team’s attacking momentum. This is a deal best avoided, and it looks like the Hammers have come to that realisation as well.
