West Ham United FC is reportedly not going to sell Euro 2016 star Dimitri Payet for anything less than £50 million this summer as the English Premier League side is not yet ready to let go of the French attacking midfielder.
The 29-year-old France international had a highly impressive stint with his national squad during the recently concluded 2016 UEFA European Championship, scoring three goals and dishing out two assists in seven appearances for the French national team, despite the host nation’s defeat in the hands of a Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal side in the final of the said tournament.
Payet’s remarkable play, who earned him a spot in the official UEFA team of the tournament, had attracted the attention of several top-notch clubs such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Inter Milan.
However, club co-chairman David Gold had recently commented that the 5-foot-9 midfielder is not for sale and offers under £50 million will automatically be denied. Caught Offside noted that “even if they received a bid in excess of £50 million they would probably reject it”.
“The super-clubs would come after a player of his ability. We wouldn’t even listen to any offer under £50 million and even then we need to keep our best players so we just don’t welcome any offers at all for Dimitri,” Gold said during a recent radio interview, as per Four Four Two. “He’s instrumental, he’s important to us, the team is built round him and he’s not for sale.”
Gold then said that the Hammers intend to make Payet “as happy as” they can to keep him, asserting that the Réunion, France native has a great relationship with Irons manager Slaven Bilić, which he said is “very, very important to a player”.
The 79-year-old businessman, who has a net worth of £350 million and is also the owner and chairman of Gold Group International, owns a little over than 35 percent of West Ham’s stake. He has been co-chairman in the East London club since 2010.
Gold also disclosed that Payet, who signed a five-year contract extension in February, is excited about the team moving to the Olympic Stadium as their new home ground next season.
“He’s settled in London with this family, the fans adore him and we’re going to the Olympic Stadium. We’ve done everything we possibly could do. I’m hoping that will be enough,” he added
