Manchester United are reportedly preparing a move for West Ham United playmaker Dimitri Payet, but will have to splash out at least £35m.
The French international was a star performer last season, helping himself to 15 goals and 17 assists in 44 appearances in all competitions for the Hammers before playing a leading role at Euro 2016.
However, he hasn’t quite hit those heady heights this year, and with Slaven Bilic’s side underperforming, it has led to suggestions that he could now be set to leave the London Stadium.
According to The Mirror, Jose Mourinho is a big fan of the 29-year-old and despite the fact that he signed a new five-year contract worth £125,000-a-week in February, he could be available for around £35m.
It’s added that it’s unlikely that West Ham will be willing to do business in January though, and so any move that United are plotting will have to wait until the summer.
Mourinho is said to also be targeting Atletico Madrid winger Yannick Carrasco, as he’s keen to add pace and width to his team and the Belgian international also seemingly fits the bill.
Talk of a possible Payet exit will be a concern for West Ham though, but it’s hardly a surprise as it was always going to be a danger if they couldn’t match his ambitions.
Given he’s a player that deserves to be playing on the big stages and in the top competitions on a regular basis coupled with his age, he doesn’t have as long as he would like to be playing in the Champions League and compete for trophies.
West Ham are unlikely to be able to offer him that in the near future, as they continue to hover over the relegation zone in the Premier League after 12 games.
In turn, their resolve is now likely to be tested and a sizeable offer of around £35m could be extremely difficult to turn down.