West Ham prolific striker target hints at decision after being offered £14m wages package - report

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

Published on:

16 Jul 2016, 1:12 am

By London correspondent Tony Hughes

Carlos Bacca is set to reject a move to West Ham in the club's latest blow in their pursuit of a proven goalscorer this summer, according to a report.

Sky Italy journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has claimed on his website that the AC Milan forward does not intend to accept the Hammers' offer of a transfer this summer.

It is said that Bacca, 29, is holding out for a return to former club Sevilla or Spanish big-hitters Atletico Madrid.

Losing out on Bacca would be a huge blow to West Ham after they failed to push through deals for other prolific front men Alexandre Lacazette, Michy Batshuayi, Carlos Tevez and Christian Benteke earlier this summer in moves that would all have annihilated the club's transfer record.

Football Insider reported on Monday that West Ham would meet with Bacca's representatives this week to discuss personal terms over a club-record move.

Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport claimed West Ham had offered Bacca a four-year contract worth £67,000-a-week.

With a transfer fee of £26million also discussed by the London club and Milan, the total package on the table is £40million.

Bacca started out in his home country of Colombia, where among loan spells he scored 111 goals in six seasons.

He impressed after a move to Club Brugge before transferring to Spanish giants Sevilla, where he won two Europa League titles in two seasons.

Bacca joined Milan from Sevilla 12 months ago for a fee of around £22million after his release clause was activated and is contracted to the Italian giants until 2019.

The 33-time capped international starred for the Italian giants last season where he scored 20 goals in 43 appearances in all competitions.

In other West Ham transfer news, Dimitri Payet has sent the fans a message about his future.

West Ham United

Carlos Bacca