Former West Ham United star Trevor Sinclair has reacted in incredulity after revealing what he has heard about Dimitri Payet.
West Ham have been tenuously linked with a bid to bring the France star back to East London.
The reports came after we at Hammers News reported Marseille financial troubles earlier this month.
Our report stated the reality facing Marseille, that effectively all their saleable assets were available for transfer to satisfy Financial Fair Play regulations.
Payet gossip doing the rounds
Shortly afterwards claims started emerging online and social media that Payet was being eyed up for a sensational and controversial return.
The ridiculously gifted playmaker was well on his way to legend status during his time at West Ham.
But after 18 glorious months with the club he went on strike to force a return to Marseille.
Gossip and rumour has abound since the Marseille financial struggles came to light.
Tricky Trev reacts to what he has heard about Payet return
And now Hammers legend Trevor Sinclair has reacted with disbelief after hearing Payet has gone on strike and could return to the London Stadium.
“D(imitri) P(ayet) back to West Ham after going on strike!!! Got to be a wind up, thoughts?” Sinclair said on Twitter.
Like Sinclair many West Ham fans found such talk hard to believe.
Are West Ham gauging fan reaction?
But others pointed to the fact West Ham had suddenly started posting about Payet on their official website and social media as evidence something is afoot.
West Ham ran a poll on fans’ favourite Payet goal.
And a number of well-connected social media accounts were also discussing his potential return leading to further suggestions from supporters that the club could be trying to gauge fan reaction to the idea.
Whether there is room for Payet at the club is another thing.
Manuel Pellegrini has an embarrassment of riches in the attacking midfield department after the arrival of Pablo Fornals in a £24million deal.
But it could be a deal that is too good to turn down. Indeed given Marseille’s money trouble and the structure of transfers in the modern game, L’OM may still owe West Ham money from the £25m transfer.
That is all conjecture of course.
This is football, though, and certainly stranger things have happened.
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