Why Gary Medel will be an excellent signing for West Ham in the summer?

According to a report from Turkish news outlet Takvim, Besiktas midfielder Gary Medel wants to finally make his move to West Ham at the end of the season.

The Chile international, 31, was heavily linked with a move to West Ham in the January transfer window, with Hammers chief Manuel Pellegrini apparently keen to sign him to add depth to his options in midfield. But a deal failed to go through and Gary Medel had to stay put at Besiktas.

However, the 31-year-old could be on his way to the London Stadium when his contract at Besiktas expires in summer. Potentially available as a free agent at the end of the season, West Ham must not think twice before snapping up Gary Medel.

Pellegrini has been short of options in midfield as Jack Wilshere and Carlos Sanchez have been on the treatment table for the majority of the season. That has made him use Mark Noble on a regular basis alongside the young Declan Rice and while the West Ham skipper has performed admirably well, he has started ageing.

That should prompt the Chilean manager to look for reinforcements in the summer to add more quality and depth to the squad. And Medel would be a top fit for West Ham for various reasons.

In Medel, the Hammers would be getting a highly-experienced player, who featured 35 times for Cardiff City during the 2013/14 season. A holding midfielder by trade, the Chilean is also extremely composed while operating at centre-back. He will add steel to the midfield, break up the play with his work rate, tackles and interceptions, whilst also allowing the creative players to express themselves freely.

The 31-year-old is a brilliant reader of the game, known for his calmness and composure in possession and astute ball distribution skills in the middle of the park. Granted, Medel doesn’t offer much in terms of attack but his physicality, tough-tackling nature and positional awareness will be invaluable assets to the West Ham squad.

Furthermore, the two-time Copa America winner is quite strong in the air and never hesitates to stick a foot out to stop his opponent from advancing. A leader on and off the pitch, the former Inter Milan and Sevilla enforcer will provide solid cover for Noble in midfield as well as for Issa Diop, Angelo Ogbonna and Fabian Balbuena in defence.

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On the whole, Pellegrini signing the richly-experienced Medel for free would represent an excellent piece of business by the club.