Dimitri Payet will cost more than £50m, insists West Ham co-chairman David Gold after Euro 2016 displays
Real Madrid and Chelsea are rumoured to be interested in luring the 29-year-old away
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West Ham United chairman David Gold has insisted he would not consider selling Dimitri Payet for anything less than £50m after the France winger impressed at Euro 2016 this summer.
Real Madrid and Chelsea are rumoured to be interested in luring the 29-year-old away from east London before the new Premier League season with the Hammers set to move across the capital to the Olympic Stadium this month.
Payet scored 12 goals for West Ham last season, making a name for himself after a string off remarkable free-kicks dumfounded goalkeepers across the country.
But Gold, speaking to BBC Radio following the winger’s starring role for beaten finalists France this summer, said: “The super clubs would come after a player of his ability. Of course we wouldn't even listen to any offer under £50m, and even then, as I said, we need to keep our best players.
“To be absolutely honest with you, we just don't welcome any offers at all for Dimitri. He is instrumental, he's important to us, the team is built around him. I would say to you he's not for sale.”
Payet, meanwhile, has been forced to deny claims he deliberately injured Cristiano Ronaldo during the final defeat by Portugal at the Stade de France on Sunday night.
The 31-year-old left the pitch just 25 minutes into the showpiece final after a heavy challenge by Payet in the early stages in Paris, with Ronaldo being forced to watch the action from the side-lines after receiving treatment in the changing room.
The former Marseille winger has been subjected to abuse online in the aftermath, despite Portugal eventually emerging victorious in added-time, while the Portuguese contingent in the stadium also booed his every touch during the match.
“I came in for a tackle, full stop,” Payet told reporters at full-time. “I got the ball back, but if I hurt him it wasn't intentional - it's not in my nature to be a nasty player on the pitch. There's no question about that.”
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