Barcelona and Real Madrid may duel for Dimitri Payet

A 60 million pound price tag isn’t going to deter either Barcelona or Real Madrid from chasing West Ham star Dimitri Payet this summer

Fans of both Barcelona and Real Madrid should be salivating over West Ham’s 60 million pound price tag for star attacker Dimitri Payet. The Hammers intended that price to be a deterrent for other clubs, but it’s likely going to encourage both La Liga giants to chase the French star after the conclusion of Euro 2016.

The Express is reporting that West Ham hoped such a transfer fee would discourage other clubs from bidding for Payet. Instead, the club is open to the possibility of selling the likes of Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia instead. That’s a nice fairy tale for the Hammers to tell themselves, but it isn’t going to work in the real world.

If they really wanted to discourage Barcelona and Real Madrid from mounting a charge for Payet they should have quoted a much higher figure. Something more like 100 million pounds might have given the European giants pause. Quoting a price of 60 million pounds is more like an invitation.

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Both Barcelona and Real Madrid should become big players for Payet at that sort of price. Despite both teams’ possession of a great deal of attacking talent already, they’d both jump at the chance to acquire someone of Payet’s skill and class.

In particular, Real Madrid would seem to have an open spot for the French talisman. They’ve been unhappy with the performances of James Rodriguez and Isco over the past 12 months and Payet could wrestle playing time away from both men. He’d also have the added benefit of buying some more time for James to develop into the star that many at Real Madrid still believe he is destined to become.

His fit at Barcelona might not be quite as clear, but there’s significant opportunity for him there as well. He could certainly spell Messi or Neymar along the side’s front three, and could also provide real competition for Ivan Rakitic deeper in the midfield as well.

We shouldn’t become too focused on need here, clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid add prodigious talent and figure out the fit later. They’re not going to hesitate to purchase Payet because of issues over his potential fit with the current roster. They’ll simply spend the money to bring him in, and figure the rest out later.

West Ham fans need to be prepared for a long and stressful summer. Dimitri Payet may once again grace the Hammers with his presence next season, but they are going to face significant threats from both Barcelona and Real Madrid before his return is assured.

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