MX23RW : Saturday, November 16 23:21:29| >> :120:6797:6797:

David Gold concerned over Dimitri Payet's West Ham United future

David Gold stresses that West Ham United will "fight tooth and nail" to keep Dimitri Payet, but risk losing him should an offer be made by Real Madrid or Barcelona.

West Ham United co-owner David Gold has admitted that star player Dimitri Payet could leave the club this summer should Real Madrid or Barcelona come calling.

The 29-year-old is reportedly wanted by an array of European football's top clubs following an impressive season with the Hammers and a string of fine Euro 2016 showings for France.

Gold claims that West Ham have no intention of cashing in on Payet and will do all that they can to keep him at Upton Park, but they could face a real battle to do so should one of the Spanish heavyweights make an official bid.

"We'll fight tooth and nail to make sure Dimitri pulls on a claret and blue shirt next season," he told The Sun. "We want to improve our squad and Dimitri is an integral part of what we're trying to do. But we also must be realistic.

"If Barcelona or Real Madrid made a bid and he wanted to move there, it would be difficult to keep him. You can't have a great player like Dimitri and expect no one to make a bid, especially with the performances he's producing at the Euros. But the phone has not rung yet - although we know there's a chance it will once the tournament is over. We're not silly.

"Yet, let me be very clear, we would not welcome a call. The club certainly doesn't need to sell him so this is not a case of 'We've bought him for £10m and can now make a tidy profit'."

Payet, rated at around £45m by United, found the net nine times and assisted a further 12 goals for teammates in his debut Premier League campaign.

ID:276001: cacheID:276001:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2423:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
France's forward Dimitri Payet acknowledges the fans after France beat Romania 2-1 in the opening match of the Euro 2016 group A football match between France and Romania at Stade de France, in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on June 10, 2016
Read Next:
Inter Milan want Dimitri Payet
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!