Bilic concerned about losing Payet

Posted Tuesday, February 09, 2016 by foxsportsasia.com

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic has worried that Dimitri Payet could leave Upton Park after an impressive debut season for the club.

The off-season signing from Marseille has reportedly been targeted by Arsenal, but Bilic is keen to retain him on an improved contract.

According to the Mirror, Payet's agent is attempting to negotiate a new deal after his impressive performances, but the club's hierarchy have balked at his £125,000-a-week demands.

However, Bilic believes it's imperative that the east Londoners don't lose the 28-year-old attacker to their cross-town rivals.

"We are moving and the club is moving, with the new stadium [Olympic Stadium], the revenue and everything," the Croatian explained.

"But the most important move is to keep your best players and Dimitri Payet is our best player, I have no problem whatsoever saying that. And of course I would love to have him happy, long term, at the club.

"He signed only a few months ago but he has made a huge impact – a very, very huge impact – and while he has a long contract he is in a good position. It is not only the staff and the players but also the fans and the board, we all want to keep him for a long, long time.

"There is always a chance. Nowadays the contracts don't protect the other clubs from trying to get a player. Sometimes it unsettles the player, sometimes it gets them a new contract. Other times, the club sells the player."