The club plans to introduce a wage policy which it hopes will help it hold onto players who are seen as back-up ‘operators.’
ClaretandHugh has learned that the likes of Roger Johnson, George McCartney and even Joe Cole – who had been thought to be on his way out of the Boleyn – could be offered deals to keep them at the club.
A shrewd decision making process has seen the club develop a pay structure which could put such players just out of the reach of Championship outfits.
The wage would offer a basic salary of around £8-£10k with an additional £2k should the player make the first team squad and another £10k appearance money if he gets on during the course of the game.
The Hammers learned a serious lesson on injury problems this season and wants to keep as many seasoned professionals on the books as possible despite being able to only offer limited first team appearances.
