Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Charles Aránguiz has turned down a move to West Ham, according to Daily Star.
Manuel Pellegrini has often taken Chileans with him to his clubs, but that hasn’t happened at West Ham yet.
It is believed he aimed to make Aránguiz his first, though it is the 30-year-old who turned down the move, rather than Bayer Leverkusen.
Here are some of Pellegrini’s compatriots who he could bring to London Stadium instead:
Guillermo Maripán
Guillermo Maripán has already been linked with a move to West Ham by Marca during this transfer window.
The 25-year-old Alavés centre back has represented his country 16 times in his career and was an ever-present for Chile in the group stages of the current Copa América campaign.
With Fabian Balbuena and Issa Diop at the club, Maripán would have a fight on his hands to get game time, but Pellegrini seems open to bringing in reinforcements at centre back.
Iván Morales
Iván Morales is just 19-years-old but has already made his debut for Chile, which came in a 3-1 defeat against Mexico.
He also gets regular game time for Colo Colo, one of Chile’s biggest clubs, having played in 10 of their 14 league matches so far.
While he certainly wouldn’t come as the full package he would likely be cheap – it would surely be satisfying for Pellegrini to help a promising young Chilean take a step up in his career.
Eduardo Vargas
Most Premier League fans will remember Eduardo Vargas for his underwhelming stint with Queens Park Rangers, where he only managed 16 starts.
However, he is an integral player in the Chilean national team, with a total of 36 goals in 83 caps.
He has also shown his scoring exploits during Copa América with a brace against Japan – scoring his first with a well taken first-time strike from outside the box, with the second being a lob over the onrushing goalkeeper.
He now plays for Mexican side Tigres UANL, where he helped win the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League.
While he wouldn’t likely come in as a starter, Vargas could be an effective backup option.
Sebastián Vegas
Sebastián Vegas is a 22-year-old centre back from Mexican side Monarcas Morelia who can also operate at left back.
He is effective defensively but also carries a threat going forward, scoring four goals in seven Liga MX Apertura starts in 2019 – including a winner against Chivas.
This could be an effective signing for Pellegrini, as it would cover both the centre back and left back positions.
Nicolás Castillo
Another player on the list currently plying his trade in Liga MX, Castillo plays for Club América.
The 26-year-old has experience of playing in Europe, having represented the likes of Benfica, Club Brugge and Mainz 05.
His current record with América is five goals and one assist in 15 matches, which isn’t a bad return.
There is no way he would come in as a starter for Pellegrini’s side, but could be a good option to have on the bench.
