The Spanish cyclist Alberto Contador has reportedly been offered a new contract by the Astana team worth up to 16 million dollars a season, on the condition that the two-time Tour de France winner remain with the Kazakh team for a further four years.
A Belgian newspaper says the offer comes as Contador seeks to renegotiate the terms of his current contract with the team, which has one year to run.
The massive salary boost would far exceed the 8 million dollars that Contador is believed to have asked for as part of the renegotiation.
The asked-for sum is based upon offers made by rival teams Garmin-Slipstream, Caisse d'Epargne and Quick Step. However, Astana has made the new offer on the basis that Contador will extend his tenure with the team for a further four years, through 2013.
In July, Contador was offered eight million dollars per season with Astana on a four year contract... a deal that the Spaniard turned down.
The latest proposal demonstrates the clear intent that Astana have to retain the services of Contador for the long term, despite the rider's recent efforts to exit his contract and leave the team.
