Dimitri Payet pledges future ‘100%’ to West Ham

London (AFP) – France playmaker Dimitri Payet handed West Ham a huge boost ahead of the new Premier League season by telling the club he is “100 per cent staying” with the Hammers. Payet had been linked with a move away from West Ham after backing up a superb debut season in England with several impressive performances for his country as France reached the final of Euro 2016. But the 29-year-old, who signed a new long-term contract through until 2021 in February, insisted he was fully committed to staying at West Ham. “I’ve heard about all the interest and I’m

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London (AFP) – France playmaker Dimitri Payet handed West Ham a huge boost ahead of the new Premier League season by telling the club he is “100 per cent staying” with the Hammers.

Payet had been linked with a move away from West Ham after backing up a superb debut season in England with several impressive performances for his country as France reached the final of Euro 2016.

But the 29-year-old, who signed a new long-term contract through until 2021 in February, insisted he was fully committed to staying at West Ham.

“I’ve heard about all the interest and I’m flattered. But I love West Ham,” Payet told The Sun.

“We had a fantastic season and I can’t wait to play in the Olympic Stadium.

“I’m 100 per cent staying at West Ham, I love the club. I can tell the Hammers fans that.”

Payet scored 12 goals and provided 13 assists and was named the club’s player of the year as West Ham finished seventh, their highest league finish since the 2001-02 season.

On Monday, West Ham co-chairman David Gold told the BBC that potential suitors would have to pay at least £50million ($65 million, 58 million euros) to prise Payet away from the club.

The London club will play their first competitive match at the Olympic Stadium against Shakhtyor Soligorsk of Belarus or Slovenia’s NK Domzale in the third qualifying round of the Europa League.

West Ham are due to host the first leg on July 28, but the Hammers have requested UEFA reverse the fixtures with the ground hosting the London Diamond League athletics meeting July 22-23.

The second leg is scheduled for August 4.

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