West Ham’s Allardyce set for Istanbul summer shopping trip
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It’s unclear whether Sam Allardyce has a sweet tooth or not, but the West Ham boss could be set for a double helping of Turkish Delight in the summer.
Reports in the press are linking the Hammers with a summer move for players currently contracted to Galatasaray and Fenerbahce.
However, these servings of the popular (or not) confectionary are of the imported nature.
Portuguese midfielder Raul Meireles has been reported in the Mirror as telling his agent to seek out a move back to the Premier League, with West Ham rumoured to be his first choice option.
The former Chelsea man has a year left on his Fenerbahce contract, but it appears he is seeking out one last hurrah in the English top flight.
Signing the 32-year-old could add bite to the Irons’ central midfield, with Alex Song looking more and more likely to head back to Barcelona when his loan spell ends.
That bite has been known to land in him in hot water in the past, with Meireles picking up a yellow card every three games in his opening season at Stamford Bridge.
However, with a fee likely to be nominal, the east Londoners could jump at the chance to sign him up.
Elsewhere, the E13 outfit are being linked with Galatasaray’s Nodin Amrabat.
They will have to move quickly though to land the Moroccan international, with Malaga officials reportedly en route to Istanbul to speak to the club’s representatives over a deal.
The winger wouldn’t come cheap either, with the Lions likely to want to recoup the €8m they paid for him three years ago.
A pacy and skilful dribbler of the ball, Amrabat has spent this season on loan at the Spanish club that look favourites to bag his signature, and it’s easy to see why they want him there permanently.
With five goals and three assists from 24 appearances, nearly half from the bench, he has warmed to Los Boquerones fans, and it is likely they would want to see more next season.
But for now, West Ham remain well in the hunt to bring the pair to England as they look to bow out this season with more than the threatened whimper.
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