West Ham and Arsenal would have to pay £20m to lure Rafa Benitez away from Dalian Yifang, according to The Daily Mail.
Both Arsenal and West Ham have expressed an interest in hiring Benitez. The former Liverpool and Newcastle United manager has been in China with Dalian Yifang, who do not want to lose him.
Despite the Spaniard’s awful run of form, he will cost £20m. He has just signed a contract with the Chinese Super League club and has no intention of leaving just yet.
Arsenal are without a manager since sacking Unai Emery. Former West Ham midfielder Freddie Ljungberg is the interim coach but Arsenal will not be spending £20m on Benitez.
Likewise, West Ham have been put off by these demands. Manuel Pellegrini is still in the job and this fee will price West Ham out of a move.
Who are the other options?
Talk of Pellegrini’s sacking has gone quiet since the Chelsea win. But with some hard games coming up, there is every chance that these conversations resurface.
West Ham’s hierarchy will not pay £12m to sack Pellegrini and £20m to hire Benitez. This latest report all but rules out any move for the Dalian Yifang boss. So, who else could the Irons get?
Last month, a Guardian report named Chris Hughton, Eddie Howe and Sean Dyche among the candidates. Meanwhile, The Mirror claims David Moyes and Chris Wilder are options.
But with Arsenal and Watford looking for managers, alongside potential changes at Southampton, Everton and Manchester United, West Ham face a battle.
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