West Ham and Dimitri Payet parted ways earlier this week after what has to be described as one of the more acrimonious deals of the transfer window.
Deadline Day may not be swamped in the manic hysteria that usually surrounds the end of January, but that could be because much of the drama unfolded a few weeks ago.
Having refused to play for West Ham again, Payet finally got his way and re-joined Marseille in a £25million deal.
By then, though, the playmaker’s behaviour had upset the fans to such an extent that there were few who were sorry to see him leave the London Stadium.
What riled many is that the France international – to whom the Hammers gave a huge platform – has earned a considerable amount since committing his future to the club only last year.
Talk of a £1million loyalty bonus persists, however funny it seems now.
Yet, according to Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol, the board did make him pay back some money – but it was only a tiny portion of his wages.
West Ham forced Dimitri Payet to pay back his January salary – £500,000 – before they let him join Marseille
— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) January 30, 2017
That is hardly going to excuse his antics, but you get the feeling this was more about the principle than anything else.
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