Brazilian’s pay demands kills deal
The story is being reported across Europe as fact but ClaretandHugh has been told an attempt to land the player failed a month ago on account of his personal terms.
We pulled out when his representatives wouldn’t budge from salary demands of £200k a week – the same as Javier Pastore.
The 14 times capped Brazilian international,25, was also hunted by Benfica but European media reports claimed the player’s agent Adriano Spadoto was in London talking terms.
But we were told the club dropped their interest a month ago and had instead moved in for Andriy Yarmolenko who has now joined the Hammers squad.
Our source added that the wage demanded would kill the club’s entire salary structure.
However, it has become increasingly apparent that Manuel Pellegrini is regularly attempting to sign players of a higher quality than we have seen at the club previously.