Did you know that Samir Nasir and his former manager Manuel Pellegrini would reunite again? Do you recall Nasir’s moments he he played for Arsenal and Manchester City? West Ham are close to making an eye catching signing, with the playing return of former Arsenal and Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri.
Ken Dyer, a fine source of news regarding West Ham, reports in the Evening Standard on Monday that “Samir Nasri is undergoing a medical at West Ham, prior to signing a short-term contract with the Premier League club.
The former France midfielder is currently serving an 18-month ban, following a violation of the World Anti-Doping Code and Uefa’s doping regulations after intravenously receiving 500 millilitres of sterile water containing nutrients while on holiday in Los Angeles in December 2016.”
Nasri will be able to resume his career at the end of this calendar year, from the start of January 2019.
West Ham, according to Dyer, beat off competition from Everton and plenty of MLS sides to sign Nasri.
Nasri played under West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City.
West Ham will pay Nasri £80,000-per-week, according to the report in the Evening Standard.
Now 31, Nasri last played in Turkey for Antalyaspor before his contract was rescinded due to the doping ban.
Nasri’s last competitive football match was a 1-0 defeat to Fenerbahce with Antalyaspor in November 2017.
Nasri will train with West Ham from this week so should be able to build up his fitness in time for January.
The Hammers are keen to cover the loss of Andriy Yarmolenko who seems likely to be out for the rest of the season with ankle ligament damage.
Nasri will sign a short-term (six months) deal with West Ham. The French midfielder could make his debut for the Hammers when they play Brighton at home on January 2, 2019.