Manuel Pellegrini has revealed that West Ham tried and failed in an attempt to sign Charles Aranguiz from Bayer Leverkusen.
Speaking to Chilean news outlet El Mercurio, as translated in a report from Sport Witness, the Hammers boss discussed how his efforts to recruit the experienced playmaker fell through.
Pellegrini did not specify exactly when he attempted to recruit the midfielder from Leverkusen but admitted that he did try to lure him to the London Stadium.
He said:
I will not talk about conversations, but I can tell you that I would have loved to have many Chilean players who have been figures worldwide. In the past I took several: Salas, Rojas, Matías Fernández, Iturra, Moras; I have taken seven or eight Chilean players.
I tried to take Aránguiz to West Ham, but he did not want to.
Aranguiz remains an important player for Leverkusen. Last season, he made 24 appearances in the Bundesliga and was able to score two goals and contribute with seven assists.
West Ham have already been rather active in the transfer market as Pellegrini continues to make plans ahead of his second full season in charge of the club.
Experienced goalkeeping pair Roberto and David Martin have already arrived to fill the void left by the departing Adrian, while Villarreal midfielder Pablo Fornals has also been recruited.
