I don’t need to justify my behaviour at West Ham – Payet

Dimitri Payet: Signed for Marseille

Dimitri Payet: Signed for Marseille

Dimitri Payet has revealed he wanted out at West Ham “a long time ago” and “did not feel very good” at the London Stadium.

The France midfielder completed his £25million move back to Stade Velodrome on Sunday, before being unveiled on Monday and he said that he “does not need to justify” his behaviour.

Payet ultimately forced the club’s hand after asking for a return to the club, who sold him to the Hammers for £10.7million in the summer of 2015.

The 29-year-old, who made 22 appearances this term, scoring three goals, incurred the wrath of the West Ham fans, but on Monday he displayed no remorse.

“Slaven Bilic has his opinion, but I don’t need to justify my behaviour,” he said.

“It’s been a long time coming because I started my wrestling with West Ham a long time ago. If it had not been done, I would have assumed my responsibilities. But I did not feel very good there.”

The opportunity to return to OM, where he did not want to depart 18 months ago, was one he was determined not to pass up.

Under the new ownership of Frank McCourt, Marseille have signed the likes of Patrice Evra and Morgan Sanson.

Dimitri Payet: Gone back to Marseille

 

“This is what I wanted, it was clear from the start,” he added. “Thanks to all the Marseille staff for doing what was necessary.

“I wanted to leave for this project which is just starting. It’s come during a period when I was really missing France.”

OM president Jacques Henri Eyraud revealed that the player made a personal sacrifice to join the club.

“Dimitri Payet has accepted a significant reduction in his wage to come here,” he said.