West Ham United look likely to sell wantaway Dimitri Payet this month and should use the money on another Frenchman who put Tottenham Hotspur to the sword.
The Sun reports that Payet’s wife has moved back to France with his children and he his homesick as a result.
The Hammers have repeatedly said they are under no pressure to sell and will not be bullied into losing their best player.
But Payet’s relationship with the club’s fans may now be beyond repair making an exit inevitable.
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic with wantaway Dimitri Payet
Co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold are believed to be holding out for at least £35 million before considering parting with a player who had been taken into the hearts of everyone connected with the club.
The Hammers met with Marseille representatives on Monday – as reported by Sky Sports – and should they eventually strike a deal Slaven Bilic should use some of the money to move for Payet’s compatriot and Spurs slayer Thomas Lemar at Monaco.
The 20-year-old has quickly emerged as one of club’s leading players – and the skillful playmaker is already popular in the dressing room.
Monaco’s Thomas Lemar celebrates scoring against Spurs
The diminutive attacker may not look like a player typically built for the rigours of the Premier League but once he has a ball at his feet he is difficult to stop.
Already a big crowd favourite with the principality side Lemar is perhaps best known in England for putting West Ham’s rivals Spurs to the sword in the Champions League.
Lemar twice scored the winning goal for Monaco in a pair of 2-1 wins over Mauricio Pochettino’s side to knock them out of the Champions League.
The pacy forward would likely cost West Ham most of the reported £35m they could get for Payet should Bilic register an interest, particularly given he made his international debut for France last year.
Lemar would be a huge coup for the club and would appease supporters upset at seeing Payet leave the club.
The East Londoners would undoubtedly face heated competition for Lemar but he may relish the chance for guaranteed first team football and to play in the Premier League.
And he would be welcomed with open arms at the London Stadium given his exploits against the North Londoners.
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