Report: Manuel Pellegrini due in London to hold talks with West Ham

Manuel Pellegrini appears to be edging closer to returning to the Premier League.

The Chilean manager has been identified as the favourite to succeed David Moyes at West Ham United and is expected to hold talks in London with the team's co-chairman, David Sullivan, according to David Hytner, Jacob Steinberg, and Dominic Fifield of the Guardian.

Sullivan indicated in a statement Thursday that an agreement is "very close" and that the team's new manager "has a proven record of success at the highest level."

The 64-year-old is said to be eager to return to Europe, where he previously spent time in Spain with Real Madrid, Villarreal, and Malaga before moving to England in 2013.

Pellegrini, who is currently in charge of Chinese Super League club Hebei China Fortune F.C., managed Manchester City for three seasons and guided the club to the Premier League title in 2014 before his departure two years ago.

(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)

It's believed that Sullivan was in favour of instead signing Rafael Benitez, who was a top candidate to manage the Hammers in 2015 before the Spanish gaffer signed on with Real Madrid.

Benitez eventually went on to join Newcastle United, which presents an awkward situation for Sullivan considering that the 58-year-old has a year remaining on his contract and it would reportedly cost West Ham £6 million to bring him south.

Earlier this week, Moyes announced his departure from West Ham after fulfilling his duty of ensuring its status in the Premier League. The Scottish manager, who succeeded Slaven Bilic in November after signing a short-term contract until the end of the season, helped the club climb out of the relegation zone to finish 13th with 42 points.