Former West Ham United playmaker Dimitri Payet has revealed he snubbed Manchester United in favour of Marseille.
Marseille star Dimitri Payet has confirmed that Manchester United were interested in securing his signature in the 2017 summer transfer window, but the Frenchman chose to return to France. Payet was lighting up the Premier League with the Hammers and was attracting interest from a few English clubs, the Red Devils included.
The 35-year-old decided to return to France with Marseille, snubbing interest from other potential suitors. He has no regrets, however, as a return to Marseille to be close to his family was a priority. Payet revealed that many clubs were interested in snapping him up from West Ham United, but he chose a return to France.
“I’m not someone who lives with regrets. I made a choice, which was just as much related to football as it was to family, to come back to Marseille.”
“There were other clubs, big clubs. There were Manchester United and others. It was a personal and family choice. I think it was the best for me and my family,” he told RMC Sport (h/t Goal).
Payet had moved to England with West Ham United after impressing in the Ligue 1 for Marseille. The Hammers signed him for €15 million in the 2015 summer transfer window. He made 60 appearances for them across competitions, scoring 15 and assisting 23 goals.
But Payet had his heart set on a return to France, and despite interest from some big European clubs, he chose Marseille. In five seasons for them since, Payet has been a mainstay in the side. The veteran midfielder has been in fine form this season, especially.
In 27 Ligue 1 matches for his club, the Frenchman has scored ten and assisted nine goals. On top of his Ligue 1 exploits, Payet has been impressive in the UEFA Europa Conference League as well, where he has scored twice and assisted three goals in four matches.
Manchester United fans can only wonder what could have been, had Payet not chosen to return to France and instead moved to Old Trafford in 2017.
Former West Ham United playmaker Dimitri Payet has revealed he snubbed Manchester United in favour of Marseille.
Marseille star Dimitri Payet has confirmed that Manchester United were interested in securing his signature in the 2017 summer transfer window, but the Frenchman chose to return to France. Payet was lighting up the Premier League with the Hammers and was attracting interest from a few English clubs, the Red Devils included.
The 35-year-old decided to return to France with Marseille, snubbing interest from other potential suitors. He has no regrets, however, as a return to Marseille to be close to his family was a priority. Payet revealed that many clubs were interested in snapping him up from West Ham United, but he chose a return to France.
“I’m not someone who lives with regrets. I made a choice, which was just as much related to football as it was to family, to come back to Marseille.”
“There were other clubs, big clubs. There were Manchester United and others. It was a personal and family choice. I think it was the best for me and my family,” he told RMC Sport (h/t Goal).
Payet had moved to England with West Ham United after impressing in the Ligue 1 for Marseille. The Hammers signed him for €15 million in the 2015 summer transfer window. He made 60 appearances for them across competitions, scoring 15 and assisting 23 goals.
But Payet had his heart set on a return to France, and despite interest from some big European clubs, he chose Marseille. In five seasons for them since, Payet has been a mainstay in the side. The veteran midfielder has been in fine form this season, especially.
In 27 Ligue 1 matches for his club, the Frenchman has scored ten and assisted nine goals. On top of his Ligue 1 exploits, Payet has been impressive in the UEFA Europa Conference League as well, where he has scored twice and assisted three goals in four matches.
Manchester United fans can only wonder what could have been, had Payet not chosen to return to France and instead moved to Old Trafford in 2017.