Last season West Ham enjoyed a very entertaining first campaign under Slaven Bilic. Arguably the highlight of the season was the form of French international playmaker Dimitri Payet.
The summer signing from Marseille scored nine times and produced a further 13 assists in his debut campaign in the Premier League. The 29-year-old star carried his good form into Euro 2016 with the French national team. Les Bleus made it to the final of the competition on home soil, only to suffer an extra-time defeat against Portugal.
The attacking midfielder's form last season led to speculation over his future in the summer. He was linked with a number of big-money moves. With the Hammers struggling in the top-flight and with Payet seemingly frustrated by the team’s poor performance, speculation has started again about a big-money move in January.
Payet has even stated he would not rule out a January exit from his current club. Payet’s exit could be massively damaging for the Irons. It seems every good piece of attacking play from the Hammers involves the French star.
Payet’s record this season in the Premier League is not as good as last season. The former Marseille star has provided five league assists and scored just one goal. Now that is not a terrible return from nine league appearances, but when his form dips the whole team seems to struggle.
Unfortunately, the Irons have been very poor in defence this season, something which Payet cannot really be blamed for as an attacking player. West Ham are already struggling in the top-flight with Payet in their team. Without him, they could be in massive trouble this season.
Payet is a highly-rated player, so it is unsurprising that some of Europe’s biggest clubs will be circling to sign the attacking midfielder in the January transfer window.