Rumours began to circulate on Wednesday night that West Ham are keen to bring Dimitri Payet back to east London.
French media outlet L’Equipe reported a couple of days ago that the Hammers are interested in signing the 32-year-old play-maker, who left the London Stadium under acrimonious circumstances three years ago.
Reliable West Ham insider ExWHUemployee has poured cold water on the rumours, however, suggesting that it is probably just work of Payet’s agent:
At 32, Payet is obviously not the player he once was, physically at least.
The 38-capped France international enjoyed a wonderful 2017/18 campaign with Marseille, racking up a superb 10 goals and 23 assists in 47 games.
His numbers have dropped drastically since then, however. Payet has registered only 14 goals and 12 assists in 57 appearances over the past 18 months.
And aside from the fantasy of having a fully firing Dimitri Payet back at the London Stadium, a move for the Marseille ace would make little sense for West Ham.
There would also be the problem of the mixed reception that he would undoubtedly receive from the Hammers fans.
Not the right move for the Hammers
The idea of re-signing Payet seems an enticing, exciting one on the face of it. But scratch beneath the surface and there are problems.
It is easy to get swept away with the concept that the Frenchman could be West Ham’s saviour this season.
But in truth, the east London outfit need players who will be 100 per cent committed between now and May. And you simply cannot guarantee that with Payet.
As West Ham insider ExWHUemployee speculates, however, there is probably little substance to the rumours anyway.
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