West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini is believed to have blocked the sale of Pedro Obiang to Fiorentina this month.
According to the Spaniard’s agent Guilio Meozzi, the midfielder looked all but set to return to Serie A with a deal in place between the Hammers and the Italian side.
However, Pellegrini stepped in and refused to allow Obiang to depart the club midway through the season, despite the board’s willingness to negotiate an exit for the player.
It was reported earlier this week that West Ham had turned down a bid worth €10 million for the ex-Sampdoria star.
Meozzi, though, told Italian news outlet TMW that Fiorentina were ready to sign the player for €11 million before the Hammers boss decided to block the transfer. The agent said:
For €11 million, West Ham had said that they would relinquish the player, there is no doubt about it.
In fact, the president had been convinced to sell Obiang himself, but it was Pellegrini, who opposed the figure offered by Fiorentina.
Obiang, 26, has been utilised regularly by Pellegrini this season and has made 14 Premier League appearances.
