Home  »     »   Crystal Palace urge Spurs star to lower wage demands

Crystal Palace urge Spurs star to lower wage demands

| 01.11.2014

Crystal Palace have entered the race to offer Totteham left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto a Premier League lifeline – as long as the player’s wage demands drop.

The Cameroon international has been told he can leave White hart Lane on a free transfer but is reluctant to drop his £40,000 per week salary expectations in order to facilitate a move.

The 30-year-old last turned out for Spurs in May 2013 and spent last year on loan at QPR. Rs boss Harry Redknapp was keen to make the deal permanent but again baulked at the wages.

It appears Assou-Ekotto is happy to sit out the remaining seven months of his Spurs contract – picking up £40,000 each week along the way – before securing a lucrative transfer elsewhere.

However, Palace manager Neil Warnock is hoping the lure of first team football – and the opportunity to remain in London – will appeal to the player should he be willing to lower his wage demands.

The news comes as current Palace defender Damien Delaney drags his feet over signing a new contract. Warnock revealed last week that a new deal is on the table but the Irishman has yet to agree terms.

The Sehurst Park outfit sit just one point above the Premier League relegation zone, having conceded 16 goals in their nine games so far, and Warnock knows that defensive improvement is a must if the south London club are to retain their top flight status.

Palace entertain Sunderland in a crunch game on Monday night and go into the tie as 23/20 favourites.

The Black Cats, still reeling from their 8-0 hammering at the hands of Southampton, can be backed at 13/5 to take the pressure of Gus Poyet with a win and the draw is available at 12/5.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £100 in free bets

«
»

Author

James Curtis

After studying for a degree in journalism and gaining his NCTJ, James contributed to a wide range of papers, online publications and broadcasters including the South London Press, Press Association and Sky Sports News before joining the Ladbrokes News team.