Pellegrini gives thumbs-up to defender talks

West Ham are continuing to talk to Swansea over a deal for central defender Alfie Mawson after being given the thumbs up by boss Manuel Pellegrini.

ClaretandHugh has learned that the new manager was told of all possible targets whom the club had tracking on his arrival at the club and he has agreed that Mawson would be a valuable addition to the squad.

Although currently recovering from knee surgery the 24 year old is expected to be fit in mid July and the Hammers are continuing to talk with the Welsh club about a deal.

Despite being knocked back in the winter when the Swans were fighting relegation there is now real hope the Hammers will do a deal at between £20m – £25 million.

And we were told by our own sources that Pellegrini was happy for negotiations to continue during his absence in Chile.

As reported earlier the manager is due back in London this week with his director Mario Husillos when activity in the market is immediately expected to be stepped up.