The star of West Ham’s domestic season has become the star of the international stage at Euro 2016 — and now the Hammers are worried about their chances of keeping France international Dimitri Payet, according to the Mirror.
Payet scored superb goals in his country’s wins over Romania and Albania, lighting up the Romania match with a spectacular strike from distance late on.
Although it was reported earlier this week that West Ham would not consider selling him at any price — or even be willing to suggest a hypothetical figure — the Mirror says they are increasingly concerned that he “may become impossible to hold onto.”
It reports that the club’s powers that be believe “Europe’s big guns will still try and test their resolve should attacking midfielder Payet maintain his sparkling form.”
Who might one of those big guns be? Well, the report adds that “sources close to Real Madrid have described a move for Payet as typical of the type of deal Real Madrid president Florentino Perez would like to pull off.”
Meanwhile, West Ham are ready to go back in with a second offer for Bournemouth winger Matt Ritchie, the Telegraph reports.
The Cherries turned down a joint bid for Ritchie and striker Callum Wilson last month but are now pondering an £8m bid for the Scotland international alone.
The Telegraph says “it is understood that West Ham contacted Bournemouth on Wednesday in an attempt to reopen negotiations but were warned not to make another bid.”
But that, it adds, has not deterred the Londoners, who still believe a deal can be struck.
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