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Hammers Vice-Chairman Announces Payet Jersey Replacement Scheme
In a move to appease disappointed supporters, West Ham United vice-chairman Lady Karren Brady has revealed an unprecedented shirt exchange program following Dimitri Payet’s acrimonious £25 million return to Marseille. The French playmaker’s departure after 18 months at London Stadium has sparked fury among fans and management alike, with manager Slaven Bilic accusing the player of refusing to train or play to force the transfer.
“Morning, bring your Payet shirt into any club store and you will receive a replacement for £25,” Brady tweeted, responding to fan queries about the team’s kit. The club have begun removing Payet’s image from their stadium and digital assets – a symbolic purge after co-chairman David Sullivan called it “disrespectful” to last season’s Player of the Year.
The Unraveling of a West Ham Love Affair
Payet’s 15-goal, 23-assist contribution in 2015-16 had made him a cult hero, but his January transfer request—just months after signing a £125,000/week extension—exposed deep fractures. Marvelbet sports analysts note the 34-year-old’s social media post (“on rentre à la maison”) further inflamed tensions, contrasting sharply with Sullivan’s statement about preserving “squad unity.”
“His creative output dropped 40% this season,” noted former Premier League scout turned Marvelbet contributor Martin Faulkner. “When players lose motivation, keeping them harms team chemistry more than any transfer fee compensates.”
Fan Sentiment and Strategic Implications
The £25 replacement cost—half the price of a new authentic jersey—reflects West Ham‘s damage control strategy. As Marvelbet observed in matchday polls:
- 68% of fans supported selling Payet after his strike
- 42% felt the £25M fee undervalued him
- 91% approved of the shirt exchange initiative
With Payet’s No.27 now vacant, speculation mounts over replacements. Marvelbet insiders link the Hammers to:
- Leverkusen’s Julian Brandt
- Lyon’s Memphis Depay
- Internazionale’s Marcelo Brozović
Conclusion: A Club Drawing Lines in the Sand
West Ham’s decisive actions—from removing Payet’s branding to facilitating affordable jersey swaps—signal a club prioritizing cultural fit over individual talent. As Marvelbet tactical review shows, Bilic’s 3-4-3 system thrived post-Payet with Manuel Lanzini assuming creative duties, suggesting the Hammers may emerge stronger from this saga.
Share your thoughts: Would you exchange your Payet jersey? Who should West Ham target next? Join the conversation below!
