West Ham United winger, Dimitri Payet, admits he ‘could only have fun’ with Arsenal given the Gunners are seemingly interested in acquiring his services in the January transfer window.
The 29-year-old hasn’t had the best of seasons with West Ham United – when compared to last season – and is angling towards a move away from the Olympic stadium after admitting that he misses the UEFA Champions League.
Payet, despite the poor form, has still been the Hammers’ best player this season and could look for a move in the summer given Slaven Bilic’s side are far from recreating the kind of form that saw them compete for a UEFA Champions League slot last time around.
And while he admitted Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wasn’t in contact with him over a move, the chance to play with such a highly technical team could be fun.
"I read that Wenger considers me the missing piece of the Arsenal's game, but he's never told me that!" Payet told RMC. "We conceded five or six at home against them. When you see them playing, as a technical player, you could only have fun in that team. They're candidates for the title every year."
With his side still sitting close to the relegation slots in the Premier League, despite their weekend 1-0 win over Hull City, Payet says his decision to leave the club will be an amicable one and one that takes into account all he has to offer in his last few years as a professional footballer.
"The situation at the club affects me, but I'm an ambitious person," Payet said. "I'm in a fight with my club and I'm giving everything for them, to get out of this difficult situation, but I'm not closing the door to anything.
"I miss the Champions League... I've got some great years ahead of me and I want to enjoy them by playing in important competitions.
“If I'm forced to leave West Ham, it will be done according to the rules - the club will have its share of the cake,” he added.
"My coach understands that today's situation does not suit me. I will ask the questions at the right time."
Payet would be a valuable addition to the Arsenal squad given they’re on the lookout for a winger who could play on the left-hand side. Their pursuit of Julian Draxler seems to have hit a wall given he prefers a move to Paris Saint-Germain and thus, Payet could come in and help them challenge for the title once again.
