New West Ham boss Sam Allardyce claims Craig Mackail-Smith joined Championship rivals Brighton for the money. The Scotland international signed a four-year contract with last season's League One champions.
The striker was also linked with Premier League newcomers QPR and Norwich.
Allardyce told talkSPORT: "We did table a bid for him and strangely enough I think 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."