West Ham news: Manuel Pellegrini's STUNNING wage revealed with Hammers deal close

The former Manchester City boss is expected to be named as the new Hammers boss this week, with club officials confident of wrapping up a deal in the coming 48 hours.

Pellegrini left England in 2016 to join the wave of high-profile names enhancing their bank balances in the Chinese Super League.

After a trophy-less two seasons in Asia, the 64-year-old left Hebei China Fortune on Sunday as he closes in on his Premier League return.

And according to the Evening Standard, Pellegrini will be offered a mammoth amount when he arrives at West Ham.

The Chilean is set to earn £10m-a-year at the London Stadium, outlining just how much co-chairmans David Sullivan and David Gold want the former Premier League winner to join their project.

The salary will see Pellegrini become the third highest paid manager in the league, only losing out to Manchester City's Pep Guardiola and Manchester United's Jose Mourinho.

Hebei China Fortune were reportedly paying the former Real Madrid boss a whopping £12m each year.

However, Pellegrini is said to have been desperate to return to Europe this season.

West Ham chiefs are set to hand their new manager full control over transfers this summer, as the club look to build on their 13th place under David Moyes.

Rafael Benitez was heavily linked with the Hammers job last week.