West Ham must snub Yaya Toure’s come-and-get-me plea

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The agent of Yaya Toure is set to approach West Ham over a possible January move, according to The Daily Mail.

Toure has recently been released by Olympiacos and he is reportedly keen on moving back to England.

The 35-year-old has turned down moves to the MLS and China in order to secure a return to the Premier League.

Toure is heading to London and his agent will be in touch with a number of clubs, including West Ham and Crystal Palace, over a possible move.

Toure and Pellegrini

West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini worked with Toure while they were together at Manchester City.

The dominant box-to-box central midfielder was a key part of Pellegrini’s side and they won the Premier League together at The Etihad.

But when Toure was released as a free agent in the summer, Pellegrini resisted the chance to reunite.

According to The London Evening Standard, Pellegrini rejected the Ivory Coast midfielder last summer.

Toure at Olympiacos

Toure instead earned a move back to Olympiacos, where he played before his spells at Monaco, Barcelona and Man City.

But the veteran midfielder managed just three months and five games with the Greek side before his contract was terminated by mutual agreement.

Toure is once again a free agent and he is keen to get his fitness up to return to the Premier League.

The verdict

This is a deal that West Ham avoided in the summer and that must be avoided again.

Although it is a free transfer, Toure’s wage demands will be astronomical and he is past his best.

Pellegrini was not tempted by a reunion in the summer and I doubt he would bring him in now.