INTER MIAMI have pulled out of a move for Willian.
SunSport understands the Arsenal man wanted around £8.7million a year – £167,000 per week – to play in MLS which is too much for David Beckham’s side.
It’s a blow for boss Phil Neville who hopes to offload Mexican international Rodolfo Pizarro this month to a club back home in Liga MX.
That would then free up a designated player spot which Neville wanted to use for Willian, 32, before his demands proved too much.
Out-of-sorts Gonzalo Higuain is the club’s current top earner, bagging an annual salary of £4.19million or £80,500 per week.
Willian’s Arsenal contract expires in 2023 but he wants to quit the Gunners after a difficult first season.
Becks, though, needs a star signing in south Florida to start producing now with former Real Madrid and Argentina frontman Higuain struggling with his fitness levels.
The 33 year-old was dropped from the Inter Miami squad for the trip to DC United on June 19.
However, he came off the bench to score in last weekend’s home defeat to Orlando, Higuain still has work to do to reach the desired level.
Higuain has been put on a specialized fitness plan at the club’s Fort Lauderdale HQ.
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But he looks set to be named as a substitute once again against Montreal on Saturday night at Red Bull Arena.
Ex-Arsenal and West Brom full-back Kieran Gibbs, meanwhile, is due in Miami on Friday after signing earlier this year.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
