Former Cardiff City midfielder Gary Medel could reportedly return to the Premier League with West Ham United in the January transfer window.
With West Ham United linked with Gary Medel on Wednesday by Sky Sports, the easy response would be to once again suggest that the London giants are targeting a player well past his best.
In recent transfer windows, Joe Hart, Patrice Evra, Alvaro Arbeloa, Carlos Sanchez and many more have arrived at the London Stadium only to underwhelm – and the fans are fearing a repeat of the same old situation with Medel tipped for a shock return to English football.
About five or six years ago, the Chilean ankle-biter was one of the most highly rated defensive midfielders anywhere in European football and his performances at international level cannot be overlooked.
Medel was immense as Chile won the Copa America for the first time ever in 2015. And then he helped his country do it again a year later.
But the former Sevilla and Inter Milan man is 31 years of age these days and plying his trade in Turkey for a Besiktas side sitting eight points adrift in third place.
And it seems that some West Ham fans have not forgotten his rather underwhelming spell at Cardiff City. The Bluebirds made Medel their record signing for £11.5 million but he jumped ship a year later when the South Wales giants finished bottom of the Premier League.
Yes, Medel would add experience, aggression and cover both in defence and midfield – but it seems he has a lot to do to win over some rather sceptic supporters.
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