West Ham United are lining up a £20million move for Gylfi Sigurdsson, who they see as the ideal replacement for Dimitri Payet.
The previously hugely popular Payet is now anything but amongst the fans of the London Stadium, who were rocked this week when it emerged their star player no longer wants to pull on the famous claret and blue. One of the star players of last season’s Premier League, and of Euro 2016, the France international is eager to return to Marseille.
Payet only signed a new contract last February, such was the impact he made following his £10.7million arrival from the Stade Velodrome in the summer. Although this was designed to keep him in the capital until 2021 – on a weekly salary of £125,000 – The Mirror claim he could even feign injury to now avoid playing or training with the Hammers.
West Ham have stated they are unwilling to let the 29-year-old leave the club during the current transfer window, but it appears ever inevitable that a parting of the ways is on the cards. Marseille are thought to have already had one offer of £19million rejected, and the Premier League side would likely want to around £30million to consider a sale.
Meanwhile, The Express would suggest Slaven Bilic is already on the lookout to replace Payet. The tabloid newspaper claims the Hammers have set their sights on a £20million deal for Sigurdsson, the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, who is currently under contract at Swansea City whom will be relying on him to help them avoid relegation.
The 27-year-old is in his second spell at the Liberty Stadium, his first being a loan deal, and he has scored 33 goals in 113 matches in all competitions during his combined time in Wales. Indeed, the former Reading youngster is regarded as one of the most consistent performers in the top-flight, and his arrival could go some way to softening Payet’s exit.
