OPINION
West Ham will surely be in pole position to sign Yaya Toure in the summer transfer window with the club reportedly agreeing a deal with his former Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini.
Sky Sports Italy journalist Gianluca di Marzio has reported on his personal website that the 64-year-old ex-Citizens manager has agreed a three-year contract with the Hammers and should be appointed within the coming days to succeed David Moyes at the London Stadium.
Pellegrini won the 2013/14 Premier League title with Manchester City with Toure, 35, playing a key role in his midfield at the time.
The Ivory Coast international has slipped down the pecking order this season and when his contract, which according to statistics website Spotrac is worth £220,000-a-week, expires at the end of next month, he will be available as a free agent.
The Telegraph has since reported that appointing Pellegrini would “open up” the prospect of making a successful move for Toure, who is bound to demand much lower wages than what he was reportedly earning at the Etihad.
And it would be the perfect addition for the Hammers too as Toure would add an element of class, physique and experience to a midfield that has been ailing for improvement for a long time.
With Pellegrini at the helm and Toure pulling the strings on the pitch, West Ham are surely set for a very positive 2018/19 season.