Report: Former Arsenal, City star Nasri to join West Ham following ban
Samir Nasri is set for a reunion with manager Manuel Pellegrini.
According to The Telegraph's Jason Burt, the French midfielder will undergo a medical at West Ham and then sign a six-month deal with the club this winter. Nasri can begin playing in January, once his 18-month doping ban expires.
Nasri was initially banned from football in February for six months due to an IV drip he received in 2016 while on loan at Sevilla. UEFA later extended the punishment by another 12 months, but it was backdated to July 1, 2017, allowing Nasri to begin training with a club this month before officially signing a new deal in January.
During the treatment, Nasri was said to have received 500 milliliters of sterile water infused with micronutrients, although the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) only allows a maximum of 50 milliliters every six hours. That led to the ban following an investigation by Spain's anti-doping body.
The 31-year-old Nasri previously played under Pellegrini at Manchester City where he helped the Chilean boss capture the 2013-14 Premier League title. He also played a key role in the Citizens' 2012 title under Roberto Mancini after a three-year spell with Arsenal.
He's currently a free agent, as his contract with Turkish outfit Antalyaspor was terminated earlier this year as a result of the ban.