West Ham United insider @ExWHUemployee has shed some light on the deal which has seen Spanish goalkeeper Roberto leave the club.
The Hammers secured the arrival of the 34-year-old stopper last summer on a free transfer from Espanyol (per Transfermarkt).
However, after conceding a whopping 21 goals in 10 appearances for the Irons and keeping just one clean sheet (per Transfermarkt), Roberto was shipped out to Alaves on loan in January.
On Friday, it was then announced by West Ham that the Spaniard had left the club permanently to join Real Valladolid.
Speaking on the latest episode of The West Ham Way Podcast prior to the announcement of Roberto’s departure, @ExWHUemployee shed some light on the deal.
He said: “Roberto is going to be joining Real Valladolid. Basically, it’s just so typically West Ham, we’re paying to get rid of him.
“Now, if you [believe] what I’ve been told by someone in the club, apparently Roberto was on £38,000 a week. Now, I’m not entirely sure whether that figure is accurate or not.
“That figure just doesn’t seem entirely accurate to me, but anyway, that’s the figure I’ve [been] given and we are paying 65% of his wages up until next June – when his [West Ham] contract actually officially expires.
“So, we’ve got no transfer fee for him and we’re paying that percentage of his wages to get rid of him, basically. So, what a disaster he has been.
“Now, obviously, thankfully, he didn’t really cost us any money but he cost us in points and wages… So, one of the most bizarre sagas in recent history is now officially ending.”
TIF Thoughts…
As can be seen in what the club insider had to say, it seems that the Hammers will still be paying a large portion of Roberto’s wages following his departure to Real Valladolid.
Are you pleased that Roberto has left the club?
Yes, he needed to go
No, it's a bad deal
Considering how poor the goalkeeper’s record was for the Hammers, with him keeping just one clean sheet in ten matches, it is perhaps clear to see why the Irons were keen to get rid of him.