Hammers refuse to be bullied in contract talks

West Ham are refusing to break the club’s Under 23 pay code to  accommodate demands from midfielder Conor Coventry’s advisers.

The Hammers have a rigid pay policy in place for youth players as was demonstrated when Declan Rice’s new deal was being negotiated.

At the time it was revealed that, before agreeing a six year contract, the England international was earning £2,500 a week which is the wage ceiling at academy/Under 23 at that level of the club.

But as reported by ClaretandHugh several days ago, Coventry’s agents,  Base Soccer, are looking to blow a hole in it  and want – according to some reports – as much as £5k for their client.

Given that the 19 year old has yet to make a single Premier League appearance, the club are rigidly resisting the demands and will be ready to let any fee be set by a Tribunal should it lead to his departure from the club.