West Ham enter Barry equation

I would be staggered if Gareth Barry gave a second thought to moving his family from the North West to go to a team like West Ham. After 5 years on Man City wages, surely it is not worth the extra money to him.

I know we all think of £50,000 a week as an outrageous amount of money, and of course it is, but look at it another way - people live within but up to their means so when a player like Barry is leaving City where he was on more than we're offering, I think it's fair to say that he might need to be paid similarly.

Whenever I've changed jobs, I've always needed a similar wage to facilitate my current lifestyle and I don't see why a footballer on huge wages would be any different. Thus West Ham might be in with a shout, especially given it's likely to be his last playing contract.

I wouldn't even go as high as £50k! Players like Diame, Wanyama etc won't be making that.

Diame and Wanyama aren't half the player Barry is though.

I don't see him signing for the Hammers unless he's offered ridiculous dosh.

If he doesn't stay with us, then there surely will be much better options on the table than Big Sam's 3rd-rate club.

Ste (376), I agree about West Ham, but haven't the Double 'D' Team just given Big Sam a kicking and told him to play 'nice' football?

Maybe they will splash out on someone like Barry who can actually play the game... hope not.

He should be asking Roberto, politely, if he can stay with us. Memories of Nick Barmby and a career saved come to mind.

I agree Keith. He's at a place where he can play and enjoy his football. I still insist that he had agreed to sign in January when we were after another loanee. So, if he was ready to sign in January I think he will sign when he gets back from his hols.

If it is all about the money, then surely this New York City team would be the best opportunity, aren't they going to be bankrolled by Man City anyway?

I agree with living within your means and all James but what sort of lifestyle must he have become accustomed to to worry about £50,000 or £65,000 a week. He is hardly the playboy footballer after all.

Mark – who knows, and I'm speculating anyway but £50k or £65k is a pretty big difference when you think about it. Moving to New York might not be in his plans either – especially if he has a family to think about.

Last payday can be a weird one for a footballer, given that they have such short careers. It's not like the rest of us at all – washed up at 35ish isn't the same as you or I assuming we're likely to work till we're in our 60s.

A decision to go to West Ham would clearly not be a footballing decision, and would disappoint me – how much more money does a footballer need?

I could understand Arsenal, one last stab at playing in Europe's top club competition has understandable draw. But West Ham over Everton? He'd have to be bonkers!!

To be fair, he had a great season, but I would prefer to see a younger player brought in, not too young as his experience really showed, but someone who could form a partnership with James McCarthy for seasons to come.

Well, if Roberto is building a team for the future, how many 30+ players will we need to replace? Distin, Hibbert, Pienaar, Osman & Howard spring to mind. He must have a plan and knows the players he wants...

Maybe Barry is not part of the new evolution as we move towards ball-playing footballers to fit in with the Martinez ethos of playing it on the ground. It's a team game and players can be replaced. I'm not worried if Barry goes elsewhere because he will be replaced, just as we have not missed Fellaini.

All this delay (if he has been released already & not in the coming weeks), makes me think he's mulling over a number of options, which I think will limit our chances of signing him as we're not going to offer him silly money that other clubs may do at his age. Also, if Arsenal are looking at him, the CL competition may be a significant factor for him, but he also has to consider with their existing CM players he's not going to be a first choice player.

It's a difficult one, but the longer it drags on, the more it concerns me. I'd like him to sign but, if he doesn't, I have every confidence in RM to get us ready for next season.

I can't see Arsenal going after him as he's even slower, and older, than Arteta and they're trying to get rid of him. Also, Arsenal want Fabregas back so I think it's between us and fat Sam.