Samir Nasri is having a medical at West Ham United ahead of a deal that could see him pocket £80,000-a-week, according to the Evening Standard.
The newpaper reports on its website that the Frenchman is to sign a deal that will keep him at the London Stadium for six months, with his doping ban – which was 18 months – set to expire in December.
His salary demands of £80,000-a-week have put off other clubs going in for him, but Manuel Pellegrini has been keen to add the 31-year-old to his ranks as cover for his injured stars, including Andriy Yarmolenko.
The 5ft 10in [Transfermarkt] player has the potential to earn £2 million with his contract after his deal was terminated with Turkish club Antalyaspor in January last year.
OPINION
Even though many fans will not be keen on the idea of Nasri joining the club, the fact that he is set to arrive on a six month deal actually makes a lot of sense. With attacking midfielder Yarmolenko out for the rest of the season with a long-term injury, swooping for Nasri could not have come at a better time. If he flops during his time in East London, West Ham can rest easy knowing that he will be gone by the end of the season. Admittedly he is not at his best anymore, especially after an 18 month spell on the sidelines – but if anyone can bring the best out of him, it is Pellegrini, a manager who he previously worked with at Manchester City. It will be interesting to see how he fares in the Premier League once again if the move goes through without any hiccups, as it has been a while.
