Neill wants pay rise to stay with Hammers

Lucas Neill looks set to leave West Ham United after reportedly demanding an increase on his £70,000-a-week pay packet to remain at the East London club.

NigelFrench/Empics

Lucas Neill: Staying at Upton Park?

The Australian international will be out of contract in the summer and so far there has been no agreement on a new deal.

The skipper joined the Hammers in January 2007 from Blackburn Rovers, turning down Liverpool as they 'only' offered him £40,000-a-week. But now it is claimed he wants even more to commit his future.

It has apparently stunned bosses at Upton Park who are already reeling from the collapse of sponsors XL Holidays, Icelandic bank Landsbanki and the impending compensation pay out to Sheffield United over the Carlos Tevez affair.

There is no prospect of the 30-year-old's demands being met and it is far more likely he could be offloaded once the transfer market re-opens and West Ham look to cut costs.

The Times reported on Thursday that Neill can expect no more than £30,000-a-week if he is to remain a Hammer.

Neill has become a crucial player for West Ham, with the right-back handed the captain's armband. The former Millwall right-back has played 67 matches since moving from Ewood Park but may now have priced himself out of an extended stay.