Dimitri Payet and West Ham links are getting differing coverage in France.
On Monday we covered what RMC have been saying about the claims of a potential return, and stated: ‘The French media outlet reported over the weekend the news of a transfer to the Hammers was met with ‘astonishment’ within the Ligue 1 club, even going as far as making a few board members laugh out loud.’
It was all thought to be likely related to the potential arrival of Mario Balotelli at Marseille this summer. The striker is reportedly negotiating a deal worth €800k/month, whilst Payet currently earns €500k/month and hasn’t hidden his desire for a pay rise.
France Football have it differently, first covering English media reports, they then say the interest is ‘very real’ and Manuel Pellegrini ‘appreciates the profile’ of the player.
Despite Payet’s fall-outs at West Ham, it’s stated ‘water has flowed under the bridge that was never been completely broken’.
The same report claims that with Payet being 31 years of age, this could be the last chance he has to secure another bumper contract. Chinese clubs are also said to be interested, and Inter Milan are presented as a ‘luxury option’.
This all seems to be about money, and whether that means more money at Marseille or elsewhere remains to be seen.
