Manchester City have told Shaun Wright-Phillips they simply will
not meet his new contract demands at Eastlands.
Talks between City and their popular winger have reached an
impasse after football administrator Brian Marwood was taken aback
by both the financial demands of Wright-Phillips' advisors and also
the length of the contract the 28-year-old wants to sign.
Even though the England international has more than two years
left on the £80,000-a-week deal he signed when he took a pay cut to
rejoin the club from Chelsea in the summer of 2008, City were happy
to open talks about an extension.
Highly inflated: Wright-Phillips
But with Wright-Phillips seeing a stream of players come to the
club on more money than him since in the wake of the Abu Dhabi
takeover of later that summer, his representatives have pitched
their opening demands too high.
With players such as Emmanuel Adebayor, Gareth Barry, Carlos
Tevez and even Wayne Bridge earning more than Wright-Phillips, it
is perhaps understandable that he is keen to get himself on a level
footing.
Nevertheless, City sources say that Wright-Phillips will have to
lower his sights and have even suggested he is unlikely to get what
he is asking for at any other club in the Barclays Premier League
either.
The talks have been taking place at a difficult time for
Wright-Phillips as, in common with other City players, his form has
dipped in recent times.