While West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini will be able to take quite a few positives away from the first half of this season, one aspect that is likely to leave him frustrated is the amount of injuries his players have been picking up.

The likes of Andriy Yarmolenko and Jack Wilshere are currently sidelined, which could prompt the Chilean to dipping into the transfer market next month with compatriot Gary Medel just one name currently being linked with a move to the London Stadium.

The Breakdown

According to Turkish newspaper Takvim (via Sport Witness), the Besiktas midfielder is keen on joining West Ham once the transfer window opens in a deal that could make a lot of sense for the east London club.

Away from the impressive Declan Rice, whose contract expires next summer, the Hammers do not have a lot of options when it comes to defensive midfield making any potential addition of Medel or an individual in his mould a wise one.

With his tough tackling, strength and aggressiveness, the Chile international could be a very good alternative to Rice in that role shielding the back four.

In his previous stint in the Premier League with Cardiff City, Medel did not produce his best football. However, since then, he has gone on to perform much better at Inter Milan prior to his Besiktas transfer and could now be perfect for this current West Ham squad.