Well there are various quotes in various media, one quoted Moyes as saying we offered a maximum of £145K a week, but Forest offered more at £200k and we weren't prepared to break the West Ham wage structure.

If its 80K a week the he has taken a drop from his manure wages which were in excess of £120K a week, so cannot see that being true.

Today media reports ranging from SKy to the BBC etc. are quoting £115K per week plus add ons - which given these are appearance fees, goal bonus etc etc. the final weekly wage could well be in the region of £200k.

I didn't necessarily say it was a wrong move, as you say a free transfer (though given the agent will still want a fee they are never free), can mean more wages. However, if he crocks himself badly within the first couple of weeks or indeed just doesn't sparkle as hoped then the gamble will ahve been an expensive one. Also what will smashing the wage structure do for other players?

In the short term maybe nothing, but once a club has paid that for a player, others who perform well will start demanding the same or will leave.