Irons braced for top Payet Euro 2016 displays

Slaven Bilic and West Ham’s board know full well that they could face bids for Dimi Payet if he carries his pre-season Euro 2016 form into the tournament itself.

He has been in brilliant form for France in the build-up and with the world watching, the Irons are fully aware that the major clubs may be tempted to move in if he plays a major role in French progress.

However, the form of the nation’s midfield trio of N’golo Kanti (Leicester City), Paul Pogba (Juventus) and Blaise Matuidi (PSG) may well save us from that scenario with Dimi restricted to cameo off the bench performances.

Payet though has been in fantastic form when appearing in the pre-tournament friendles and with his set piece and creative abilities so well known the Hammers are realistic in accepting there could be interest.

A top Hammers source explained to ClaretandHugh: “We really would have our head in the sand if we tried to believe that couldn’t happen. But only a top top club could afford him.

“It would be entirely unrealistic to believe – given the season he had with us, the form he is showing and his reputation as perhaps the best free kick specialist in the world – that there will be no interest at all.

“We want him to have a wonderful time out there but if one was being entirely selfish you might hooe he would take a little knock before he returned to us entirely fit for next season!

“There have been no enquires about him though and he is on a massive deal with us so if any club were to come in and offer him a lot more that would have to be reflected in any fee they might want to pay.

And at 29 years of age – he turns 30 next March – the odds remain very much on us keeping him. We certainly hope that is the case and we would make it as difficult as we humanly could for any club – whoever they were to buy him.”