West Ham complete Dimitri Payet purchase from Marseille

New Hammers boss Slaven Bilic has swiftly followed up the capture of Pedro Obiang with a big money buy. Only target man Andy Carroll has cost the east London outfit more than Payet, who will link up with former Stade Velodrome teammate Morgan Amalfitano at Upton Park.

With West Ham beginning their Europa League campaign in the first qualifying round following a Fair Play entry in early July, Payet could make his debut for them against Andorran outfit FC Lusitans.

The exciting French international, capped seven times for his country, would certainly fit in with the Hammers’ mooted change of style, with a return to the so-called ‘West Ham way’ of attacking, attractive football and flair players potentially in the offing.

Speaking of his role in the London club’s style of play, Payet stated: “I’m an attacking footballer so for sure I like attacking football and that they’re counting on me to help achieve that gives me a sense of responsibility. The fact that I’m here is also down to that.”

Current West Ham playmaker Stewart Downing has been linked with Sunderland recently, or a return to boyhood club Middlesbrough, though as both the 30-year-old winger and new signing Payet are versatile enough to play anywhere across attacking midfield, the prospect of the pair teaming up is tantalising.

More to follow.