West Ham must sell Dimitri Payet in January

Dimitri Payet seems desperate to leave West Ham for Marseille this month

The story of Dimitri Payet leaving West Ham has been one the biggest talking points of the January transfer window so far, along with Chelsea and Diego Costa of course.

However, Payet leaving the club looks no nearer a solution, as confusion reigns.

There have been conflicting reports that Marseille have now dropped their interest in Payet, while elsewhere reports suggest that the French club are set to launch a £25million bid.

For me, though, what is for sure is that West Ham needs to end this saga once and for all before the transfer window shuts.

Doubts over Marseille giving up

Marseille wants to sign Payet. The player seemingly wants to desperately move back to his old club for the sake of his family. It seems strange after long discussions that the French club would just move on to other targets after so much effort has gone into signing Payet.

This seems like a ploy from the French club to get West Ham to compromise on their reported £30 valuation of the player. Marseille are not willing to pay more than £25million for Payet. The talks seem to have stalled so it could be the French club playing games.

Marseille realises that West Ham have a big problem with Payet. The 29-year-old is the biggest earner at West Ham and he has refused to play. The French playmaker is an outstanding player. However, he is no good to the Hammers if he won’t play.

Marseille are looking to take advantage of this fact by getting the fee reduced to what they want to pay. That is their prerogative.

West Ham will make a big profit

In truth, even if West Ham sells Payet for £25million they will be more than doubling their money. The Hammers only spent £10.7million on the star when he arrived at the club in the summer of 2015 from Marseille.

Even before Payet stated that he wanted to leave the club, West Ham would have had to consider any big money bids for the France international.

There had been speculation over the Frenchman’s future in the summer. However, he stayed with the Hammers. At 29-years-old Payet is reaching an age where he will have a very little sell on fee in the near future.

He was fantastic last season for the Hammers. This season his form has been decent, but not at the same level, just like his side’s form. Payet was a key player for West Ham prior to admitting that he wants to leave and refusing to play for the Hammers.

He will be missed as a player. However, the money the club get for Payet will allow Slaven Bilic to bring in players that actually want to play for the club.

Payet’s exit will help the atmosphere

West Ham have not had a great campaign in the Premier League. The Payet situation is just another blow for the Hammers this season. The Frenchman hanging around and not playing is not going to help the atmosphere around the club.

The Hammers are currently 12^th in the Premier League table and are odds of 6/4 to finish in the top-ten this season. The Irons have the quality to easily finish in the top half of the Premier League table. In fact, a win at Middlesbrough today could see the Irons move into the top half of the table.

Last weekend’s 3-0 win over Crystal Palace showed that there is life after Dimitri Payet. Slaven Bilic’s side produced a very good display. The likes of Michail Antonio and Andy Carroll had a big influence in the win.

The best thing for everybody involved is Dimitri Payet leaving the club. West Ham will make a big profit. They would also make space on the wage bill for new signings. Payet leaving in January will bring closure and everybody can then move on.

Will West Ham sell Dimitri Payet before the transfer window closes?