Sullivan plays down talk of West Ham exit for Payet

LONDON - West Ham United are determined to keep hold of Dimitri Payet, co-chairman David Sullivan has said, after media reports suggested several clubs across Europe have registered an interest in the French midfielder. Payet, who signed a five-year contract in February, made a fine start to his West Ham career last season as he scored nine Premier League goals and claimed 13 assists to propel the club to seventh-placed, their highest top-flight finish since 2002. "Dimitri has had an outstanding year and has become a vital player for France and I am so proud that he is a West Ham player," Sullivan told the club's official website. "He has played 16 times for his country in 2016, scoring seven goals and assisting five more, and inspiring them to the final of the European Championship." Payet, however, has struggled to rediscover his best league form this season, having scored just once in the opening 11 league games as West Ham sit 17th in the table, a point above the relegation zone. "Dimitri signed a new long-term contract in February, pledging his future to this club, and it is very much our intention that he remains with us for years to come," Sullivan added. West Ham travel to face London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who are fifth in the table, on Saturday. -Reuters