Exclusive – Allardyce: Money motivated Mackail-Smith’s Brighton move

Sam Allardyce has claimed Craig Mackail-Smith’s move to Brighton has been motivated by money.

The Hammers had a bid accepted for the Peterborough striker only for the Scot to sign a four-year-deal with Gus Poyet’s men.

And ‘Big Sam’ has admitted his shock that the 27-year-old chose the Championship newcomers over his Hammers side.

He told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast: “We did table a bid for him and strangely enough he chose Brighton so I’m not quite sure what went on there.

“No disrespect to Brighton but it seems more of a financial move than a football move.”