West Ham United transfer news: Manuel Pellegrini wants to sign Pablo Fornals for Real Betis
Pablo Fornals is an active target for Real Betis with former West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini keen on a reunion, according to Estadio Deportivo.
The Chilean boss splashed the cash to bring Fornals to east London back in 2019, and he has gone on to become a fan favourite at the club in his four years here.
But after losing his starting place in the team last season Pellegrini now wants to take him back to Spain, and Real Betis are working on a deal to sign him according to a report.
“Pablo Fornals, precisely a West Ham player whose name has been confirmed by STADIUM Deportivo,” they wrote (13 July).
“[Ramon] Planes is working on this option encouraged by Pellegrini.”
Intriguing
West Ham aren’t known for being willing sellers of players that play often, and Fornals is certainly someone that David Moyes really loves.
The Spaniard is a hard-working creative midfielder and has scored some big goals in his time here, including the late winner in the Europa League semi-final clash with AZ Alkmaar last season.
But now he isn’t one of the first names on the team sheet with Lucas Paqueta occupying the most advanced midfield role, and Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen solidified in their roles out wide.
That has made minutes more hard to come by and as he enters the final 12 months of his contract at the London Stadium, a move back to Spain could be tempting for him but also for West Ham if the cash is right.
It would allow them to move him on for some money rather than losing him for free, while also boosting the summer budget and opening up a space for a potential new signing to come in his place.
In other West Ham news, an improved bid is expected for one Hammers ace as an exit now looks inevitable.