According to a report from French publication L’Equipe, West Ham were prepared to pay €20 million (£17 million) to bring Dimitri Payet back to the London Stadium in January.
The 32-year-old joined the Hammers from Marseille in the summer of 2015, for a fee believed to be worth £10.7 million (The Guardian).
And the 38-capped France international was an immediate hit in east London.
Payet went on to rack up 16 goals and 23 assists in 60 games for West Ham (Transfermarkt). But his career at the London Stadium ended on a sour note, after he refused to play for the club and constantly angled for a move away.
The talented play-maker finally got his wish, rejoining Marseille for around £25 million in January 2017 (The Telegraph).
And now L’Equipe are claiming that the Hammers were prepared to pay £17 million to bring Payet back to the club in January, but they didn’t proceed with an offer because they got word that the player wasn’t keen on returning to east London.
The Frenchman’s return would have split the fanbase
Payet was an absolute magician during his time with West Ham. But some Hammers fans still harbour a grudge against him for the way in which he forced his exit three years ago.
There will undoubtedly still be some fans who just cannot forgive the 32-year-old. On the other hand, there would surely be fans who would have loved to see Payet back at the London Stadium.
Given their current situation, they could have really used someone like the Marseille ace. Although the fee reported does seem to be rather extortionate for someone who will be 33 next month.
But it wasn’t to be. And for £17 million, perhaps that isn’t such a bad thing at the end of the day.
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