Anfield failure takes the biggest offer on the table!
Jermaine Pennant has secured a “dream” move to Real Zaragoza after becoming the latest Premier League tax exile.
The former Liverpool winger, 26, has followed this summer’s trend of snubbing England in favour of an amazing three-year contract in Spain.
Pennant will earn £45,000-a-week AFTER tax and be given a free villa and car as part of the package.
Spain’s new rules mean tax is capped at 40 per cent and big earners can pay as little as 24 per cent tax if they exploit a loophole and acquire “foreign executive” status.
The tax rate is less than half of Britain’s 50 per cent tax rate which has prompted Real Zaragoza to pick up Pennant’s tax bill.
That allowed them to snatch Pennant ahead of AC Milan, Espanyol and Atletico Madrid, who were all keen to sign one of the most in-demand players in this summer’s transfer market. (Daily Mirror)
So well done Jermaine you sold yourself to the highest bidder and if this source is to be believed you turned down a move to the likes of Atletico Madrid and AC Milan, both in the Champions League, as well as a host of Premier League sides keen to sign him, in order to get the biggest buck from Real Zaragoza, smart move!
I guess this is typical of today’s footballer. Regardless of the fact that they are already millionaires they still scramble for every penny that they can get, Gareth Barry is the perfect example of this. You would have thought that a player’s ambition would relate to what they could achieve in the game in the form of trophies or international caps but it appears that getting the most money is really what it’s all about.
Good luck Zaragoza, I guarantee that Pennant won’t hack it in Spain for more than one year!