West Ham United have been dealt a blow in their hopes to sign Boca Juniors’ Carlos Tevez, after the player demanded wages of £250,000 per week.
Argentine Tevez played for the Hammers in the 2006-07 season, scoring 7 goals in 26 league appearances, including the winner at Manchester United on the final day of the season.
The club were hoping to re-sign the forward, as they look forward to their first season at their new home, the Olympic Stadium.
The Hammers were set to offer Tevez, 32, a deal worth £150,000 per week.
But Tevez, who has also turned out for Manchester United, Manchester City, and Juventus, is believed to be holding out for a more substantial package.
If a deal cannot be reached, chairman David Sullivan will turn to AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca who has a £24million release clause in his contract.
Sullivan said: “We tried to get Tevez but he wanted £250,000 a week. In his last year at Juventus he was great. But 250 grand a week?
“He’ll probably stay where he is now, but he doesn’t pay a lot of tax down there.”
Hammers fans still hold the striker in high esteem, and Tevez himself insists he still loves the Premier League club.
But Sullivan added: “All this business ‘I love West Ham.’ Well, it’s ‘I love West Ham if they give me 250 grand a week.’ So how much love is that for West Ham?
“I actually offered him 150 grand a week to come back plus bonuses.
“I thought that was an incredible offer for someone who loves West Ham. It wasn’t a publicity stunt, I saw him being our No.1 striker.
“I was hoping he would reproduce what he did at Juventus a year ago. He was a fantastic player. But where do you draw the line with what you are prepared to pay?”
By Steve Osborne @BlizzardSteve75