• Premier League

West Ham scared off Ben Haim by wage demands

ESPN Soccernet staff
June 24, 2010
Tal Ben Haim has two years left on his current contract © Getty Images
Enlarge

New West Ham United boss Avram Grant wants to take Tal Ben Haim with him to Upton Park - but the Hammers are unwilling to match his £45,000-a-week salary or pay a £1 million fee demanded by his agent.

Although the experienced Ben Haim can leave on a free transfer due to Portsmouth's relegation, which triggered an escape clause, it emphasises the problems the south-coast club have in trimming their wage bill.

The Israel international still has two years to run on his deal at Fratton Park so is unlikely to walk out on the club for vastly reduced wages.

A source at West Ham told Soccernet: "Yes, we would love to sign the player, but not at the moment as his wages are £45,000-a-week and his agent wants a £1 million fee - both too high.

"The problem is he has two years left on his Portsmouth contract, though he can leave for nothing as they were relegated.

"Why should he leave unless he gets the same wage? But a club like West Ham can no longer afford to pay every player £40-45,000-a-week. Clubs like West Ham have to draw the line somewhere or every club will go broke."

The Hammers might make one exception this summer in the area of big wages if they can capture a marquee signing and have been linked with a procession of stellar names, including David Beckham, Joe Cole, Juan Roman Riquelme and Thierry Henry.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices