Dimitri Payet has told West Ham he is “100% staying” at the club. The France playmaker enjoyed an outstanding debut season after being signed from Marseille for £10.7m. He scored 12 goals and assisted 13 more, leading to the 29-year-old being named the club’s player of the year.
Payet went on to shine at Euro 2016, scoring three times as France reached the final, where they lost 1-0 to Portugal. That led to speculation he would leave this summer.
“I’ve heard about all the interest and I’m flattered but I love West Ham,” Payet is quoted as saying in the Sun. “We had a fantastic season and I can’t wait to play in the Olympic Stadium. I’m 100% staying at West Ham, I love the club. I can tell the Hammers fans that.”
West Ham’s first match at the Olympic Stadium will be against Shakhtyor Soligorsk of Belarus or the Slovenian side Domzale in the third qualifying round of the Europa League.
The draw was made on Friday, with West Ham’s opponents level at 1-1 after the first leg of their second qualifying round tie. The third qualifying round matches will be played on 28 July and 4 August. West Ham have asked Uefa to play the second leg at home to ensure the Olympic Stadium is ready.
