West Ham chief insists Payet is not for sale

Co-chairman David Sullivan says West Ham are determined to hold on to Dimitri Payet.

The France international has been linked with moves to Paris St-Germain and Real Madrid and in an interview to French television last week said he had “closed the door to nothing”.

However, Sullivan insists Payet is not for sale, having signed a new five-and-a-half year deal in February.

Speaking to West Ham’s official website, Sullivan said: “Dimitri has had an outstanding year and has become a vital player for France and I am so proud that he is a West Ham player.

“He has played 16 times for his country in 2016, scoring seven goals and assisting five more, and inspiring them to the final of the European Championship.

“Dimi signed a new long-term contract in February, pledging his future to this club, and it is very much our intention that he remains with us for years to come.”

Payet, 29, scored for France in their 2-1 World Cup qualifying victory over Sweden on Friday, but has only found the net once in nine games in the Hammers’ poor start to the season.