Gabri explains Hammers snub

Gabri has revealed that his family helped change his mind about moving to West Ham United and he could now sign a new contract at Barcelona.

The Spain international, whose deal runs out at the end of the current campaign, pulled out of a move to Upton Park on Monday after lengthy negotiations at the weekend and has stated that he now intends to earn a renewal at Camp Nou.

After missing the majority of last season with a knee ligament injury, the utility player has failed to break back into Frank Rijkaard's side and believed that he would be able to play regularly at West Ham.

"After speaking to my family and those closest to me I decided to stay," he said. "Now I am only thinking about Barcelona and helping the team until the end of the season.

"I was only considering leaving for sporting reasons. After a year-and-a-half of not playing very much, I just wanted to play regularly.''

Gabri then explained that people within Barcelona also persuaded him to stay and fight for a place in the team and he is hoping that a new deal can be struck.

"I want to thank the coach for his help as well as Joan Laporta and the club's board. They gave me their full support and I decided to change my mind.

"There was an approach to the club. The president and the sports director spoke to me and told me about the proposal and I am grateful to them.

"My aim is to stay here. When I make the decision over my future I will think calmly and will wait for the offer from Barca, who are always my priority and the first option.

"Sometimes players are very impulsive and do not think things through. Everyone was telling me not to rush and that it would be better to make a decision in June."

The new deal on offer from Barcelona is reported to see Gabri being asked to take a cut in his basic pay and top up his salary with performance-related clauses.