West Ham flop Benni McCarthy set to reject loan switch to Charlton or Sheffield Wednesday

Benni McCarthy (Getty Imaages)

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By Greg Stobart

West Ham United flop Benni McCarthy is ready to turn his back on a loan move to Charlton or Sheffield Wednesday because he believes he can still perform at a higher level.

The South African striker is available after he was cut from Avram Grant’s 25-man Premier League squad and has been targeted by the two League One sides.

But McCarthy, who joined the Hammers from Blackburn for £2.5 million last January, does not want to drop two divisions and is likely to reject any proposed switch in the hope that a Championship side may make a move.

“Benni wants to revive his career but he feels he deserves to play at a higher level than is being offered,” a source told Goal.com UK. “He could still be a very good player in the Championship or a foreign league.”

There are also financial issues over how much of McCarthy’s wages – believed to be worth around ￡40,000-a-week – Charlton and Sheffield Wednesday would be willing to pay.

The 33-year-old has struggled to control his weight during his time at Upton Park and is yet to score a goal in 14 appearances for the Hammers.

McCarthy has not started a game since the League Cup win over Stoke in October and is now only eligible to feature in FA Cup matches.

He had an unsuccessful trial at Queens Park Rangers in January and is now being offered an opportunity to put himself in the shop window at the Valley or Hillsborough.

The former Porto star has rejected West Ham’s offer of £1m to tear up his contract, which runs to the end of next season.

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