Payet would ‘not be welcome’ back at West Ham according to former Hammers keeper

Ex-West Ham goalkeeper Allen McKnight claims Dimitri Payet has burnt his bridges in East London and dismissed any reports of a return for the Frenchman.

As with any transfer window, the rumours are coming thick and fast - some more plausible than others. One that has taken many by surprise are reports linking Dimitri Payet with a transfer back to his former home at West Ham.

Payet was a fan favourite during his spell with the Hammers, and helped fire them to their highest Premier League finish since 1999 in his first season with the club.

In 48 games at West Ham, he notched 11 goals and 18 assists. His mazy run and finish against Middlesbrough will live long in the memory of all who witnessed it and even earned Payet the October 2016 goal of the month award.

However, the details surrounding his departure have marred his legacy for many Hammers fans. Speaking to Martin Bell on Love Sport, former West Ham shot-stopper Allen McKnight echoed those sentiments on Payet; “Players over the years have left West Ham with an uncomfortable exit, Paul Ince would confirm that for you. When you go back, you’re not welcome.”

“I think Dimitri Payet did it even worse than Paul Ince, if he came back and scored goals of course West Ham fans would accept him but I think it might be dark few days before he got his first goal and I don’t think he’d like that period himself.”

However, McKnight did concede Payet is the type of player that this current West Ham side are crying out for. “It’s the sort of player that West Ham are missing at the moment, Felipe Anderson has got short periods of the game where he shows us all the skills Dimitri Payet has. Dimitri did it for longer periods in the game and in more important times of the game - that’s what West Ham fans would want to see.”

“Whether he would accept any humble pie because it was a very toxic departure when he left, basically because he forced the exit himself. The way the club and him came to the conclusion wasn’t particularly nice and the fans will keep that long in the memory.”

Listen to the Martin Bell show every weekday from 12pm on Love Sport Radio