More Pellegrini player decisions on the way

Quiet man boss keeping everything close to his chest

Manuel Pellegrini is pushing for several more new players even should he finally land his top priority signing, Felipe Anderson.

As reported here, the Lazio attacking midfielder is the subject of a new bid from the Hammers which if successful would push the club’s spending towards £70 million so far this summer.

Issa Diop at £22 million, and Anderson, would taken a great bite out of the £75 million understood to have been at the manager’s disposal.

But  he also wants another central defender and midfield remains a major concern where maybe two more players can be expected.

Pellegrini admitted on his arrival that his desire was to bring in four or five new players and that hasn’t changed with his director of football Mario Husillos currently, or having already identified, the required targets.

However, both are aware there have to be departures and that will mean, apart from the obvious candidates of Sam Byram and Jordan Hugill, any of Winston Reid, Angelo Ogbonna, Arthur Masuaku, Edi Fernandes, Robert Snodgrass and Reece Oxford could be on their way.

Michail Antonio could be another but that decision – like all the others – entirely in the hands of Pellegrini who is determined to keep everything within the club very close to his chest.

All will be given the chance to show what they have in the pre-season but undoubtedly some critical decision are on the way.