West Ham United push for Filip Kostic with double salary on offer from Eintracht Frankfurt
West Ham are looking to convince Filip Kostic to make the move to the London Stadium by offering him a huge pay rise, according to Frankfurter Rundschau.
The German publication report that the Serbian wing-back has yet to make a decision over his future, but there is a “princely salary” on offer from the Hammers to sway him.
Bild had reported back in June that with his contract down to its final year the Bundesliga side had put a €4million-a-year deal on the table.
But with only third-tier European competition available as the Irons are in the the Europa Conference League for the coming season, and the Germans in the Champions League after they dumped West Ham out of Europa League on the way to lifting the trophy, the difference is being made up with money.
According to FR the club are looking to offer the 29-year-old more than double at over €8million, which would amount to around £130,000-a-week.
In the background of the negotiations is the fact that relations between the two clubs are bad, for the duel reasons of Frankfurt feeling badly treated during the London leg of their semi-final tie last season, and that the Hammers reportedly paid late and not in full when they bought Sebastien Haller.
Heated battle
Although the poor relationship between the two sides is described as “subordinate but exciting” in the latest report, it could be a factor in preventing this deal running smoothly.
The bad feeling after the Europa League match up is one thing, but if Frankfurt believe they can’t trust the Irons hierarchy to stick to an agreement it could prove a complicating element even if an offer is accepted.
The money might seem like a clear incentive to make the move to the Premier League, and at Kostic’s age it will likely be his last chance at a move that would earn him that.
But after being the player of the tournament in last-year’s second tier European competition he would surely like a chance to play in the Champions League ideally, so it is probably not an entirely cut and dried decision.
Juventus were previously interested in signing him and if they were to come back with an improved offer, or another club of a similar size, then it could make the Hammers option less attractive.
Clearly the club are very interested if they are willing to up his pay so significantly, but for the quality of player he is at a low price that is perhaps little surprise, with money clearly still available to spend this summer.