Pellegrini wants to sign centre-back ‘whatever the price’ at West Ham – Could be forced into action in January

Over the past year or so, West Ham have been linked with Real Betis defender Aïssa Mandi.

The Algerian centre-back has impressed with the La Liga side since joining them in 2016 from Reims in France, and with a release clause of somewhere around €30-35m, he’s an affordable target for many clubs.

There’s been talk that Betis were looking to increase that, but they have yet to do so, and with a contract expiring in 2021, now would be the time for interested clubs to pounce.

According to Le Buteur in Algeria, West Ham are one of those still lurking in the shadows for the Algeria international, claiming that Manuel Pellegrini wants to sign the 28-year-old ‘whatever the cost’.

That amount would be his release clause, but it shows how badly the Chilean manager wants to bolster  his defence, and it seems he’s highlighted the perfect man to do so.

The fact the player’s contract expires in 2021 could ‘force the Hammers to take action in order to avoid more arduous competition’ from Spanish and English clubs that also follow Mandi ‘very, very closely’.