West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed what needs to happen for the Irons to make a move to sign Samir Nasri on a free transfer when his ban from football comes to an end.
The 41-cap international has joined up with the Hammers as he comes to the end of his 18-month suspension for an anti-doping infringement and is currently training with the squad in east London with a view to a contract.
Speaking about the chances of the 31-year-old securing a deal at the London Stadium, Pellegrini revealed it was all about fitness and that if he could prove himself, he would be approached with an offer in the new year.
He told BBC Sport: “We will see about Nasri. He is working with us after a long time with his ban. We are giving him a hand to return to football.
“I hope he will be fit between now and the end of the year and if he is we will try to sign him.”
Opinion
After so long out of the game it should come as no surprise to hear that Pellegrini has doubts over whether Nasri has the fitness levels to make an impact this season, and with a month and a bit to get back to peak fitness it is going to be a battle for the Frenchman. His signing would be a strange one for the Irons, who do not exactly need someone of his calibre and talents, for he is too attack minded to play in the central midfield role and not fast enough to play out on the wings. That leaves only an attacking midfield role but there really has not been anyone who has played in that position this season with Pellegrini preferring three versatile midfielders to fill the role. Could this be a change of tactics from the Chilean? Perhaps, but at the same time Manuel Lanzini is on his way back and thus could leave Nasri without a place to play in the side. All questions for the manager to consider.