West Ham United target Carlos Bacca has confirmed that he will stay with AC Milan this season and has turned down a move to east London.
It has been widely reported that the Hammers had an offer for the Colombia international accepted by the Serie A giants, with the decision left to the player over his future.
Bacca has deliberated over a potential switch to join Slaven Bilic’s men but the lack of Champions League football has been accredited as a major reason the South American has turned his back on the Clarets.
In another blow to the London club after a long summer of chasing strikers, Bacca has admitted that he will stay at the San Siro and won’t be moving to England.
“So many things have been said,” The Express quote Bacca as saying.
“There were some teams that wanted to sign me, but in the end I have decided to stay and I am happy with my decision. Now I just want to work to be ready for the kick-off of the season.
“Having the chance to play in Europe is very important for me, and that’s one of the reasons I thought of leaving AC Milan for a team that played in the Champions League.
“But then I thought of the day I decided to leave Sevilla that was playing the Champions League and come to AC Milan.
“My dream is to play in Europe with the red and black jersey. Together with my family we didn’t want to leave without having reached this goal. I am a very ambitious player, I didn’t reach this goal last year, but I am sure that my teammates and myself will do our best to qualify for the European cups.”
West Ham have added attackers Jonathan Calleri and Andre Ayew to their ranks this summer but a noteworthy number nine that can consistently score goals has eluded the club’s clutches.
