Declan Rice and Mark Noble are both fan favourites, but the duo could have a rival for a starting spot next season as Super Haber have claimed we our stepping up our efforts to sign Gary Medel.
The 31-year-old had the chance to join Rice and Noble at the London Stadium over the winter, with our interest in the veteran midfielder well documented, but he opted to stay in the Super Lig then.
Reports since have hinted that he regrets turning us away in January, as he has grown ever more despondent with Besiktas manager Senol Gunes, and there were even suggestions he was not being paid in full.
Whatever the reasons were, Medel made the Besiktas management fully aware that he wishes to leave in the summer, although he will have a year remaining on his contract at the BJK Vodafone Park.
That may not be a problem anymore, though, as Super Haber understands Medel will sit down with the Black Eagles board once the Super Lig season is over to discuss terminating his contract.
It would not be the first-team that a contract dispute has led to a player leaving ahead of schedule, either, as Besiktas had to agree to terminate Pepe’s contract over the winter after reports emerged that he was funding the wages of several members of staff who had not been paid.
If the same happens with Medel, we will be at the front of the queue to capitalise on the potential free agent, as Super Haber understands he has already agreed to a contract in Stratford.
The 116-cap Chile captain may not be a dream signing for many of us, but you cannot argue that he will add further experience to our midfield, while adding another leader to the ranks which we evidently lack at times.
So far this season, Medel has made 25 appearances for Besiktas in all competitions and has a total of nine key passes, all without an assist.
