OPINION
While not every club is flushed with cash, there are some talents out there who are worth dipping that little bit deeper into your pockets to snap up.
West Ham are one of those clubs who appear to be limited when it comes to their spending, Sky Sports reporting that manager Manuel Pellegrini is to be working with a reduced budget after last summer’s hefty outlay.
Even with their self-imposed limits, the Hammers must realise that finding a two time Premier League winner and 18-cap international for a fee in the region of £10million is something of a bargain, which is why the Times‘ report that they have shelved their hunt for Manchester City’s Fabian Delph will have come as something of a surprise.
The newspaper claim that the £80,000-a-week wage of the England ace has caused them to back out of a move but playing hardball with City and the versatile talent – who has been transformed from a midfielder into a left back – could see them reap the rewards.
Firstly, the report says Delph is allowed to leave, meaning that staying will see him waste some of his best years as a footballer by stagnating on the bench – something he is unlikely to want to happen.
Game time is a must for the 29-year-old and by playing the waiting game with the offer on the table, West Ham could see his demands drop to a more reasonable figure.
As for Manchester City, they could do with getting him out the door to allow space, both physically in the squad and in terms of their wage book, for new arrivals or young talents to take his place.
Patience is a virtue and if West Ham are willing to wait, they could find themselves with a quality talent towards the end of the window.