Manuel Pellegrini has revealed West Ham turned down the chance to sign former Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure this summer.
Toure has been a free agent since being released by City at the end of last season but is now in advanced talks to return to Greek side Olympiacos.
The 35-year-old spent one season with Olympiacos before joining Monaco in 2006 and has already passed his medical with the club, according to his agent.
Dimitry Seluk claimed earlier this week that Toure had snubbed West Ham’s interest due to their disastrous start to the season, but Pellegrini has rubbished those suggestions.
“Unfortunately they were the words of Yaya’s agent,” Sky Sports quote Pellegrini as saying. “I spoke to Yaya, I know him and appreciate him as a person.
“He is a very good player but in the moment, when we were doing our squad list, that position was covered for other players.
“We need money to bring in players in other positions so we explained to Yaya clearly why he cannot come here.
“I hope he will find a good club, a big club because he is a very good player.”
Pellegrini was City manager when Toure produced his best ever football, netting 20 times from central midfield and providing nine assists.
The former Ivory Coast international only made 10 appearances in the Premier League last season after being forced to the fringes by City head coach Pep Guardiola.
He finished his final season at City without a goal in a single league-campaign for the first time since 2003/04.
