West Ham laugh off approach for star player

West Ham have told Galatasaray that they will not allow Dimitri Payet to join the Turkish side under any circumstances after the Istanbul-based side asked for the Frenchman to be included in a swap deal as the Hammers look to sign Burak Yilmaz.

As reported by Darren Lewis of The Mirror, West Ham are looking for a new striker and have Yilmaz as their second choice on their list of targets, with Fenerbahce’s Emmanuel Emenike their number one target.

When West Ham enquired about taking the 30-year-old, Galatasaray asked if they could have Payet in return, but that notion was laughed off by the Hammers.

Speaking at his press conference today, manager Slaven Bilic said that he wouldn’t consider any bids for his midfielder, who has been one of the stand-out players in the league this season.

Twitter: At West Ham. Bilic on Payet: “There is not enough money in the world that we would let him go for.” (@MirrorDarren)

Bilic also said the deal to try and sign Emenike is being held up because the striker is on loan in the Middle East, and that is causing difficulties for all parties.

Twitter: Bilic on strikers: “We are in the market to take one on loan. Emenike is complicated. He is a Fenerbahce player but he’s on loan to Al Ain.” (@MirrorDarren)

Bilic also gave an update on the possibility of Yilmaz moving to Upton Park and hinted that a deal looks unlikely as Galatasaray do not want to loan him out.