West Ham contract offer too short, says Barca’s Gabri

BARCELONA midfielder Gabri claims that he pulled out of a transfer to West Ham because the Premiership side were not prepared to offer him a long enough contract.

The 26-year-old utility player reportedly travelled to London to finalise the move after the Catalan side agreed not to stand in his way. But the transfer did not materialise, and Gabri admits leaving the Nou Camp would have been an “impulsive decision.”

“A series of factors led me to think things over,” said the player, who would have filled the right-back slot following Tomas Repka’s departure from West Ham.

“I spoke about it with my family and with the people closest to me and I assessed the situation. I’ve decided to stay and I’ve got my head centred on this team.

“West Ham United weren’t offering me the length of contract that could have given me the security I was looking for. I was looking to play more - and although that will be difficult here, I want to fight right to the end.”

Gabri, whose full name is Gabriel Garcia De la Torre, has rarely played for Barcelona because of persistent injury problems over the last 18 months, but he is back to full fitness now.