According to Sky Sports, a senior source at West Ham has confirmed that Dimitri Payet will NOT be leaving the Hammers in January.

Talk over the France international’s future has been rife after the 29-year-old failed to hit his stride this term and then dared compliment Arsenal. He then refused to rule out a move.

Speaking RMC Sport, Payet said:

“…when you see the way Arsenal play, when you are the kind of player who likes to play with the ball, one can only have fun in that team.” 

Later adding, “I am an ambitious person and obviously I miss playing at the top European football level  like in the Champions League. I am not closing the door to anyone.”

Just standard football talk, really, especially as he only signed a new contract with the Hammers this season and, therefore, his current deal takes him up to 2021.

Even then, West Ham are obviously annoyed enough by the rumours to confirm to Sky Sports that the winger won’t be going anywhere in January.

Interestingly, although they say he’s not for sale in the winter transfer window, this doesn’t cover the summer. Perhaps they should have just said he wasn’t for sale full stop? Unless he isn’t?

Payet has scored twice in the Premier League this season and assisted six.