Dimitri Payet preferred to join Olympique Marseille rather than Manchester United
Payet Marseille
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In 2017, Dimitri Payet joined Olympique Marseille from West Ham United. The Frenchman could have gone to a top English club.
Dimitri Payet spoke with RMC Sports explains that he preferred a move from West Ham United to Olympique Marseille to a spell at Manchester United in 2017.
“There were other clubs, big clubs. There were Manchester United and others,” said Payet. The Frenchman justified the decision to return to France with his family situation at the time: “It was a personal and family decision. I think it was the best for me and my family.”
The now 35-year-old attacking midfielder played for the Hammers in the Premier League from 2015 to 2017, after which he pushed for a return to OM. He played there before his time in England – and he still plays there today.
Payet with a dream goal against Salonika
He has scored 47 goals in 195 league games for Marseille. The fact that Payet still has fine feet, despite his advanced age, was proven last Thursday. In Marseille’s 2-1 win in the Conference League against PAOK Saloniki (2-1), he scored a dream goal: After a corner kick, he volleyed from 20 meters into the top corner to make it 2-0.