BBC report clarifies when Samir Nasri can play for West Ham amid confusion over imminent signing

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A new report has moved to clarify when Samir Nasri will be able to play for West Ham United if – as is expected – the midfielder signs.

The Daily Mail reported at the weekend that the former France star wanted a £5m-a-year to move to West Ham.

The Mail claims the former Arsenal and Manchester City man was in talks with the Hammers after completing a drugs ban.

The London Evening Standard said Nasri is set for a thorough medical at West Ham before a proposed move to East London.

Move has divided fans and confused them too

It comes as Nasri is permitted to start training again this month after completing an 18-month doping ban.

The Standard claims the 31-year-old playmaker, who was a key player for Hammers manager Manuel Pellegrini when he won the title with Manchester City, will join for an initial six months on £80,000 per week with the option to extend.

The move for Nasri has sparked a lot of debate and has divided fans, many of whom feel it is ‘typical’ of West Ham to pay big wages to a player past his best.

Some feel he will give Pellegrini the creativity he is missing.

The Chilean has been hindered by a Premier League-worst injury list.

That has seen him denied the services of Manuel Lanzini, Andriy Yarmolenko, Carlos Sanchez and Jack Wilshere in midfield alone.

But there has been confusion among fans – and some media outlets – over exactly when Nasri would be available.

A January signing… in November

Some believe that as Nasri is an out of contract player he would be free to join the Hammers squad when the Premier League resumes after the international break.

The added complication of his doping ban has muddied the water, though.

Some reports claim his ban was only for six months. Others report it was extended to 18 months in August this year.

Now the BBC have moved to clarify the situation claiming Nasri would be able to play from January 1 2019.

Jumping the queue and a mini pre-season

Many would question why pay Nasri for two months before he can even play.

But with other clubs rumoured to be interested perhaps West Ham had to do that to secure his signature.

There is also the issue of building up his fitness ahead of the resumption of his career.

If Nasri is training now, he has around six weeks to get fit, effectively a pre-season.