West Ham United fans say they would welcome Dimitri Payet back to the London Stadium with open arms, despite his controversial exit from the club in early 2017.
Payet joined the Hammers from Marseille in the summer of the 2015, and proved an instant success in his first season with the club.
The Frenchman scored 12-times – including some sensational strikes against both Bournemouth and Manchester United – to help the Hammers to their second-best ever Premier League finish (7th), and he was awarded the club’s Player of the Year award for his terrific contributions.
However trouble soon began the season after, with Payet unable to replicate his form from the campaign prior, and as soon as Christmas the France international had already stated that he no longer wished to play for the club – extraditing himself on the training ground and from his team-mates in order to force a move away.
In January, Payet was re-sold to Marseille.
However in another huge twist in the Frenchman’s West Ham saga, reports now suggest he wants a return to the London Stadium.
Reports from France state Payet has been offered back to the Hammers by Marseille as the Ligue 1 club succumb to financial difficulties, and that the 31-year-old is open on a return to his former home, despite the trouble he faced the first time around.
Manuel Pellegrini is understood to have spoken with the squad about the midfielder’s potential return, however their reaction is yet to surface.
The fan’s however? Their reaction is simple …
Not sure about West Ham possibly re-signing Dimitri Payet? This might help. pic.twitter.com/eD6Bi4qto6
— Uber West Ham (@UberWestHam) July 6, 2018
I wish I could say I don't want Payet back, I wish I could say I hated him, I wish I could say I never want to see him playing in a West Ham shirt again.
I just can't…..
Viva Payet ⚒
— ⚒Harris-Prince⚒ (@hashman88) July 6, 2018
Any West Ham fan who will not take Payet back is a fool. The best player I have ever seen at the club. He left in a horrible way but the way Bilic had us playing, wouldn't you want to go. #WHUFC
— Robbie Lawther (@RLawther94) July 6, 2018
If we can get Payet it is a no brainer. Thanks to Payet the likes of Noble , Antonio , Lanzini. Cresswell , Reid and also Adrian, all had their best season in the West Ham shirt. Payet was the conductor and he got them playing the right cords.
— Jason Perry (@Jay____Pee) July 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/1997HWHU20/status/1015002083211251712
https://twitter.com/Jvckist/status/1013206522783043584
Dimitri Payet.. Just get it done West Ham. pic.twitter.com/vfsg0o2BmB
— Reece Black (@Reece_Black) July 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/hammerandtalk/status/1015469149554921472
https://twitter.com/LukeyMalden/status/1015176403699097600
Payet back to West Ham…….yes please 🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/mo5MDcueTh
— KW⚒ (@KeithW16) July 6, 2018