Gervinho ‘demanded private beach and helicopter’ for Al Jazira transfer

The 28-year-old managed to scupper a move to the Middle East outfit by reportedly making some outrageous demands.

According to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, Gervinho’s "obscene demands" were so high that the deal collapsed under the weight of his requests.

The paper reported that Roma and Al Jazira reached an agreement over a €13million (£9.25m) transfer  - only for the player’s wish list to bring it to a screeching halt.

The Ivorian, who has impressed for Roma over the last two seasons in Serie A, has been repeatedly linked with a move away from Italy over the summer.

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But it seems that unless a club is willing to part with a private beach and a chopper, he is going to stay exactly where he is.

The exact details? Apparently Gervinho asked for a helicopter to be at his disposal at all times, along with accommodation for his entire family.

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Oh, and a beach to call his own and a number of plane tickets to travel back and forth to the Ivory Coast.

Gervinho still has three more years on his contract at Roma, but it’s going to be very interesting to study the small print when he signs his next deal, wherever it is.

There's nothing wrong with a footballer requesting whatever he likes from a contract, but it certainly doesn't mean he will get it. Gervinho clearly really wanted a private beach and personal helicopter, along with a few extras - and who wouldn't, particularly if you're being asked to move to a glorified sandpit-cum-building site like Abu Dhabi? His brazen request is to be admired, even if it didn't quite work out for him. If he has another goal-laden season there may just be a team mad enough to meet his demands this time next year. Good luck!