Pellegrini rules out Toure reunion

West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini has dismissed talk of a move for former Manchester City pupil Yaya Toure.

The two worked together at the Etihad during the Chilean's three years in charge, and despite a fondness for the towering midfielder currently without club, Pellegrini has rebuffed links to the 35-year-old Ivorian.

"Yaya is a very good player. In his position at this moment we have our players," Pellegrini told reporters, according to the Independent's Kishan Vaghela. "He will always be a good player for any team, but for the moment he is not for West Ham. For the moment, the squad is complete."

A two-man deep-lying midfield of Mark Noble and Declan Rice was thoroughly dominated in a 4-0 opening-weekend defeat to Liverpool, prompting the latter's removal at the interval. Still, Pellegrini appears content with the team he has in place. "The squad (that we have) is the squad that I want for this season. I don't think that we are going to have any other player going out at the moment," the touchline tactician added.

Pellegrini's return to the English top flight and arrival at the London Stadium have coincided with an active window for West Ham. The Hammers have lured the likes of Felipe Anderson, Andriy Yarmolenko, and Jack Wilshere to east London amid a summer shopping spree verging on £100 million.

One of Pellegrini's midfield additions, Colombian Carlos Sanchez, could start when Bournemouth visits on Saturday. So to could Arsenal outcast Lucas Perez, though the gaffer remains tight-lipped on the situation.

"I cannot tell you now," Pellegrini offered. "Carlos just arrived on the last day, he has worked just one week, Lucas Perez is similar. We will see if they are at least able to come to the bench."