Expat, that's a bit harsh isn't it, nefarious means wicked or criminal not Thorn, unless you know something about Thorn that you're keeping to yourself ;biggrin
Apologies if this has been posted on this thread already but this is from 17th Jan on BBC website:
French journalist Julien Laurens on 5 live's Monday Night Club
"In 2011, when he was at Saint-Etienne, he wanted to go to Paris St-Germain, which was his dream move. He tried everything again to force them to sell him. The club stood their ground - he had to go with the reserves, they fined him. In the end, he had to come back and he apologised and said: 'I have made a mistake, I'm young.' He is a very stubborn man and at the time it didn't work out for him, but he really believes this time it will happen for him. Eighteen months ago Payet did not want to leave Marseille. They forced him to leave in a way, because they had to sell him to balance their books. He never really settled in England. His family are not settled, the children are not happy at school, his wife is not happy. They all went back to France and are already looking at new schools there. The main issue for him has always been the family. They were not happy and that was impacting on him as a person and as a player. Payet will take a cut out to go back to Marseille, it is not about the money. He is not going to China. Marseille have already reached an agreement to go back, now it is between the clubs."
So this again points to it being a family issue, although, of course, it does not excuse Payet's behaviour.
West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady has warned Marseille the club won't be bullied into selling Dimitri Payet on the cheap.
Writing in The Sun, she said: "If Marseille want a bargain they ought to try Roman Road market. They should know that Dimitri Payet, skilled enough to play for Real Madrid as well as West Ham, isn’t going cheap, should we decide he can leave at all.
"My chairmen and the manager keep repeating they want to keep Payet. I can assure you they won’t be bullied into agreeing anything that is not in the best interests of WHU."
Marseille and West Ham are playing a high-stakes poker game over the future of Dimitri Payet, according to Sky sources.
West Ham are alarmed by Marseille letting it be known yesterday that they are resigned to not signing Payet this month.
West Ham believe Marseille are bluffing and this is just a negotiating tactic. The Hammers want £30m for Payet but Marseille have indicated they will pay no more than £25m for a player they sold to West Ham for £10.7m in the summer of 2015.
The most likely outcome remains a compromise deal being struck with Payet moving to Marseille for £25m. Otherwise, West Ham will be left with a player, who will carry on refusing to play for them, on £125,000-a-week.
Agreed, its not like they work a 40 hour week. He could easily live in France and commute on his wages ( not that I believe he'll play for us again... Now I've typed that there'll be an apology on Monday )
The situation wont have changed if they wait until the summer as his contract is so long, In fact we could say the price goes up by the amount of his wages so becomes 30.5 million in the summer.
If he doesn't like it come back and sit on the bench (on your own)
There is another benefit as I see it for waiting until the summer (if £30m+ from Marseille is not forthcoming):
After what I presume will be half a season not playing Dimi will be desperate to leave. Currently Nice(1), Monaco(2), PSG(3), and Lyon(4) occupy the European places in ligue 1, Marseille(6, and look too far adrift to reach the champs league spots) just behind. They will all have money in pockets come end of season and the added income expected of competing in Europe.
It has been documented that Dimi in the past was interested in PSG, so they could come into play. However, even if he insists the south eastern corner is crucial, Nice, Monaco, Lyon, St Etienne, Montpellier, and Toulouse arguably are in contention. St Et, Montp, and Toulouse are admittedly lower in the league and probably won't have the capital. If he is insistent that not just the south eastern corner but the south east coast is vital, this removes Lyon, but leaves Nice, Monaco and of course Marseille. If we can get at least one or two of these other teams bidding come the summer I feel we are sure to reach £30m and I cannot see Dimi not accepting Nice or Monaco (in honesty I feel he'd accept Lyon and PSG by this point) if 'family needs to live in France' is the genuine reason - plus he'd still be in a team that qualified for Europe.
However, I still hope Marseille just get it over with now, but I want at least £30m.
Lukerz - just seen your comment: I hadn't really thought about loaning, I've been so caught up in the sale price! It certainly is an option, and then sell him in the summer when more teams may be available; but I still want my £30m+ pieces of silver!!
Lukerz - just seen your comment: I hadn't really thought about loaning, I've been so caught up in the sale price! It certainly is an option, and then sell him in the summer when more teams may be available; but I still want my £30m+ pieces of silver!!
Exactly! ;ok
We are clearly up against the clock here. So loan him to France, gives us 3 months to get a better price in the summer.
Comments
French journalist Julien Laurens on 5 live's Monday Night Club
"In 2011, when he was at Saint-Etienne, he wanted to go to Paris St-Germain, which was his dream move. He tried everything again to force them to sell him.
The club stood their ground - he had to go with the reserves, they fined him. In the end, he had to come back and he apologised and said: 'I have made a mistake, I'm young.' He is a very stubborn man and at the time it didn't work out for him, but he really believes this time it will happen for him.
Eighteen months ago Payet did not want to leave Marseille. They forced him to leave in a way, because they had to sell him to balance their books. He never really settled in England.
His family are not settled, the children are not happy at school, his wife is not happy. They all went back to France and are already looking at new schools there. The main issue for him has always been the family. They were not happy and that was impacting on him as a person and as a player.
Payet will take a cut out to go back to Marseille, it is not about the money. He is not going to China. Marseille have already reached an agreement to go back, now it is between the clubs."
So this again points to it being a family issue, although, of course, it does not excuse Payet's behaviour.
West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady has warned Marseille the club won't be bullied into selling Dimitri Payet on the cheap.
Writing in The Sun, she said: "If Marseille want a bargain they ought to try Roman Road market. They should know that Dimitri Payet, skilled enough to play for Real Madrid as well as West Ham, isn’t going cheap, should we decide he can leave at all.
"My chairmen and the manager keep repeating they want to keep Payet. I can assure you they won’t be bullied into agreeing anything that is not in the best interests of WHU."
Marseille and West Ham are playing a high-stakes poker game over the future of Dimitri Payet, according to Sky sources.
West Ham are alarmed by Marseille letting it be known yesterday that they are resigned to not signing Payet this month.
West Ham believe Marseille are bluffing and this is just a negotiating tactic. The Hammers want £30m for Payet but Marseille have indicated they will pay no more than £25m for a player they sold to West Ham for £10.7m in the summer of 2015.
The most likely outcome remains a compromise deal being struck with Payet moving to Marseille for £25m. Otherwise, West Ham will be left with a player, who will carry on refusing to play for them, on £125,000-a-week.
Skysportsnews
Is this remotely feasible? I could be talking a load of old rubbish.
Is it France he yearns or specifically Marseille?
He broke our trust.
Just ask Ince how well that ends.
;biggrin
If he doesn't like it come back and sit on the bench (on your own)
Still convinced they'll get their man this month, for £28m I reckon.
I am of course assuming that such an offer is on the table.
Keeping him on the books in any capacity can only be a disruptive element within the team.
After what I presume will be half a season not playing Dimi will be desperate to leave. Currently Nice(1), Monaco(2), PSG(3), and Lyon(4) occupy the European places in ligue 1, Marseille(6, and look too far adrift to reach the champs league spots) just behind. They will all have money in pockets come end of season and the added income expected of competing in Europe.
It has been documented that Dimi in the past was interested in PSG, so they could come into play. However, even if he insists the south eastern corner is crucial, Nice, Monaco, Lyon, St Etienne, Montpellier, and Toulouse arguably are in contention. St Et, Montp, and Toulouse are admittedly lower in the league and probably won't have the capital. If he is insistent that not just the south eastern corner but the south east coast is vital, this removes Lyon, but leaves Nice, Monaco and of course Marseille. If we can get at least one or two of these other teams bidding come the summer I feel we are sure to reach £30m and I cannot see Dimi not accepting Nice or Monaco (in honesty I feel he'd accept Lyon and PSG by this point) if 'family needs to live in France' is the genuine reason - plus he'd still be in a team that qualified for Europe.
However, I still hope Marseille just get it over with now, but I want at least £30m.
Maybe if it's a loan with a guaranteed £35m after he plays 27 minutes attached then I could go with that.
We are clearly up against the clock here. So loan him to France, gives us 3 months to get a better price in the summer.
They buy him or they don't... they can't just 'have him'.