Samir Nasri a gamble with found money for West Ham
By Adam Smith
West Ham unveil their newest member of the team with Samir Nasri joining up with the Hammers for the remainder of the season. A free transfer for a player that is coming off of an 18-month doping ban following a dramatic fall from grace sounds risky but is worth the gamble.
The former French International and Premier League winner Samir Nasri has officially joined West Ham following his 18-month doping ban. Nasri, who was originally on loan at Sevilla when the ban was handed out to him moved to Alantaysapor of Turkey’s Super Lig where he made 8 appearances before his ban was enacted.
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Nasri, who cut his teeth at Arsenal and Manchester City, is joining up with Premier League winning manager Manuel Pellegrini and teammate Pablo Zabaleta in East London as he looks to reestablish himself as an elite footballer at the highest level.
Known for having attitude issues and problems with committing to his team and teammates, Nasri has been humbled by his ban and has refocused after his time away from football. That being said, when West Ham showed interest in him, Nasri reported to training overweight and out of shape.
Initial rumors suggested Nasri would sign a multiyear deal with West Ham for a weekly wage north of £100,000. This has since been walked back following the shape he was in when coming to West Ham. Reports now suggest his wages will be closer to £80,000-a-week but even this is likely high, although including weekly and performance incentives may actually be close to accurate.
The length of the deal is also believed to be just 6-months with a club option for two additional years. Nasri would be 33 years old by the time his contract expired should the extension be activated by West Ham.
With longterm injuries to Manuel Lanzini, Andriy Yarmolenko, and Jack Wilshere the Hammers are in desperate need of a creative midfielder and Nasri provides this, without an inflated January transfer fee on top. Nasri’s versatility as a central midfielder, attacking midfielder, as well as winger makes him an ideal pick up for squad depth.
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The Hammers hope Manuel Pellegrini can get the most out of a player who last had success under him at Manchester City. Nasri is a gamble but a smart one, with little invested in the player and with the team having the control over his future. The gamble is on house money, with success the more likely of the two options.