West Ham United have been issued a warning by Celta Vigo president Carlos Mourinho regarding their pursuit of Maxi Gomez.
Manuel Pellegrini is reported by the Daily Star keen on the Uruguayan forward but will be forced to increase his first bid. This is after Mourino admitted any clubs interested in the 22-year-old will need to get closer to the £43.5million release clause in his deal.
The Celta Vigo president said: “We aren’t going to give Maxi away, and teams who want him need to start paying attention to the clause.”
“From there, we can negotiate as equals, not with one party who consider themselves superior to the other.”
Gomez scored 13 goals in La Liga last season and helped his side avoid relegation after forming a partnership with former Premier League forward Iago Aspas.
Spanish newspaper Faro De Vigo recently reported that the Hammers had an initial £28.6million bid rejected for the forward, who has also attracted interest from Valencia.
OPINION
It isn’t a surprise that Pellegrini’s bid was rejected, with Celta Vigo right to hold out for closer to Gomez’ release clause. Having said this, a release clause of £43.5million isn’t much of an increase and Mourinho did reveal that negotiations can take place for a deal should an offer closer to the clause be delivered. Mario Husillos will need to work his magic on this deal and secure the Uruguayan before Valencia and their Champions League football appeal take charge of negotiations. The longer this one drags out, the harder it will get for West Ham fans, who would no doubt love to see Gomez at the London Stadium. The 22-year-old is currently away on international duty with Uruguay, not bad for such a young striker who can learn of two of the best forwards in football – Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani. Gomez has been tipped as the next Suarez and that will whet the appetite of all Hammers’ fans.
