Under Manuel Pellegrini, West Ham have probably shown more good signs than bad since recovering from their terrible start to the season.

Their 3-1 win over Everton at Goodison Park in September was a turning point for the club, though there is still much work to be done with the Hammers sitting in the bottom half of the table -- a disappointing position given the promising transfer window they had during the summer.

Midfield, in particular, is an area that could do with improvement, something which latest reports would suggest Pellegrini is thinking about ahead of the January transfer window.

The West Ham boss, according to Tuttomercatoweb (via HITC), is keen on bringing AC Milan's Franck Kessie to the London Stadium when the transfer market reopens in a potential £31m deal.

And assessing the Chilean's current midfield options, it could be a deal well worth pursuing for the Hammers.

Neither Jack Wilshere or Carlos Sanchez --- who both arrived at the London Stadium with the former presently out injured -- have impressed, while Declan Rice's future at the club remains uncertain with the 19-year-old having less than 12 months left to run on his contract.

With that in mind, West Ham and Pellegrini would be wise to try and get £31.5m-rated (via Transfermarkt) Kessie through the door.

The 21-year-old is a powerful, combative, energetic midfielder who would give the east London side a significant boost in the middle of the park.

After a summer of heavy spending, the London Stadium hierarchy may be reluctant to splash out again so soon, however. But it is clear that midfield is definitely a department of Pellegrini's squad that could do with some fine-tuning.