West Ham United have been linked with a move for the ‘Chilean pitbull’ Gary Medel.
Sky Sports claim West Ham want the Besiktas midfield enforcer and director of football Mario Husillos is set to fly Turkey in the coming days to develop negotiations.
Sky Sports said no formal offer has been made as yet by the Hammers but Manuel Pellegrini is said to be ‘keen to get a deal for his compatriot tied up as soon as possible’.
West Ham have faced Medel before
Some West Ham fans may remember Medel from his time with Cardiff City in the Premier League.
The Welsh side, back in the top flight this season, paid a club record £11m to Sevilla for Medel in 2013.
But the Bluebirds sold him to Inter Milan for £10m the following year after relegation to the Championship.
Medel is the wrong side of 30 but has vast experience.
He has won 114 caps for Chile and appeared at the 2014 World Cup after scoring the goal that assured qualification.
An ageing but much-needed body in midfield
Pellegrini is desperate for reinforcements in January as he nurses a Premier League-worst injury list.
Andriy Yarmolenko, Carlos Sanchez, Manuel Lanzini and Winston Reid are all expected to miss the rest of the season.
Jack Wilshere, who has already missed three months, could be in the same boat after a new ankle injury.
Marko Arnautovic is out until the new year as is Ryan Fredericks while Lucas Perez must wait for a nasty gash on his foot to heal before he returns to action.
Mixed reaction from fans
Reports of a move for Medel have met with a mixed reaction from some West Ham fans.
Relegation with Cardiff has tainted his reputation with some.
But others feel he could become a real fans’ favourite in East London.
One of my favs DMs.. Very Hard and Focused
— Quophi (@Bra_Ritchy) December 19, 2018
who doesn’t love a bit of the chilean bulldog tho
— Jonno (@jonnotatts) December 19, 2018
Look at his age
— Bakari Sesanyi (@BakariSesanyi) December 19, 2018
So West Ham want to sign Gary Medel lol
— Dan Lowe (Barmy Bluebird🏴🐳) (@BarmyBluebird94) December 19, 2018
‘I would love it, he could be real fan favourite’
I would love it if @WestHamUtd signed Gary Medel blokes a little pit bull reckon he would become a fan favourite #elpitbull
— Andy Lapthorne (@lapstar11) December 19, 2018
Gary Medel to West Ham is enough to bring a tear to my eye
— Dan Lewis (@Daniel_Lewis92) December 19, 2018
He’s old i dont get that
— Jack_Braxton (@jackwhu93) December 19, 2018
Class player
— Chris (@c_friend1) December 19, 2018