Transfer focus: West Ham set for major boost with Nasri exit looming

Samir Nasri is set to reject the opportunity to stay at West Ham United, per Claret&Hugh.

What’s the word?

Nasri, who is valued at £5.4million by Transfermarkt, joined the club at the end of December on a free transfer after the expiration of a doping ban.

The former Arsenal star has struggled under Manuel Pellegrini, however, playing just five times in the Premier League and registering two assists.

The aforementioned report states that, with his current contract set to expire in June, the Hammers had been keen for him to sign a pay-as-you-play deal.

However, he is now reportedly poised to reject that offer, with Nasri and his advisers looking to receive a wage of £70,000-per-week, an increase of £20,000 on his current £50,000-per-week pay packet.

Exit is a blessing

Nasri’s signing has been an unmitigated disaster.

It was clear upon signing the Frenchman that he was rusty after his doping ban, and there was precious little chance of him ever becoming the player that he was at both Arsenal and Manchester City in east London.

But, still, the club have committed to paying him a salary befitting a major Premier League star; since his signing at the end of December, West Ham have paid him a total of 19 wage slips, which amounts to £950,000.

This is a prime example of why their current transfer policy is so flawed, and why this deal was always destined to fail – there was no chance of him ever paying that money back with his on-pitch performances.

West Ham, then, should use this as a catalyst and change their ways; they will lose nothing by sacking off the older, more injury-prone stars and targeting young, hungry talent that can develop and become saleable assets.

As it is, Nasri is likely to leave and head off into the wilderness, or perhaps to China.

No other Premier League club are likely to take him and that, in isolation, speaks volumes.

But all is not lost; getting Nasri off the wage bill is a boost, and the money will be freed up for investment elsewhere.

The Hammers can spend it wisely and they should start by scouring the continent for the best young talent they can find – those players will be a fair bit cheaper than Nasri, that’s for sure.