MX23RW : Monday, January 6 02:24:25| >> :120:16527:16527:

Pellegrini confirms Nasri interest but insists Arnautovic will not leave

Pellegrini confirms Nasri interest but insists Arnautovic will not leave
© Reuters
The Frenchman will be offered a contract if he can prove his fitness following doping ban.

West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed he hopes to sign Samir Nasri in January and insisted Marko Arnautovic is going nowhere.

Midfielder Nasri, who played for Pellegrini at Manchester City, is training with the Hammers to build up his fitness following an 18-month doping ban.

Pellegerini needs reinforcements to his injury-hit West Ham squad and he will offer Nasri a contract if the 31-year-old Frenchman can get up to speed.

"Samir Nasri is working here with us," said Pellegrini.

"It's a long time that he had his ban but we are giving him a hand to return to football.

"I hope that from now until the end of the year he will be fit, and if that is the case we will try to keep him here at West Ham."

Arnautovic, meanwhile, is the subject of fresh transfer speculation after his brother and representative hinted during the international break that the Austrian forward, 29, should be at a club higher up the table.

But Arnautovic is a key figure at West Ham with five goals to his name this season and Pellegrini is determined not to lose him.

"He is a West Ham player because he has a contract here, he is happy here," said Pellegrini.

"Every player always wants to play in the biggest team but I don't think that Marko is thinking about that.

"He is thinking about West Ham and he tries to make his best performance in every game."

Pellegrini has been boosted by the return of Andy Carroll and Jack Wilshere ahead of the visit of champions City at the weekend.

Striker Carroll has yet to figure this season after aggravating an ankle problem during the summer, but he played 45 minutes of a behind-closed-doors friendly at Brentford last week and is in contention for a place on the bench.

Midfielder Wilshere, who has been out since the start of September with his ankle injury, is also back in training but may not be risked just yet.

Captain Mark Noble returns from a ban but fellow midfielder Robert Snodgrass is suspended.

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Andy Sims, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'bce3629d-1140-42e5-baf6-0a770e592401');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:uk');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Pellegrini confirms Nasri interest but insists Arnautovic will not leave'});

ID:342137: cacheID:342137:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4618:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Antoine Griezmann in action for Atletico Madrid on September 29, 2018
Read Next:
How Atletico could line up against Barcelona
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!