West Ham rarely ever win at Liverpool so when Dimitri Payet orchestrated a memorable 3-0 victory in one of his first games, fans knew he was special – now the Hammers could turn to Anfield to finally sign his replacement a decade on.
Dimitri Payet is one of the best players to have graced West Ham in the Premier League era.
As Liverpool break records to bring a similarly mercurial talent to England in Florian Wirtz, the Hammers have never quite replaced Payet.
The Frenchman lit up east London, the Premier League and the Euros during an unforgettable 18 months.
Along with Carlos Tevez, Payet was West Ham’s best attacking player since Paolo Di Canio.
Hammers have never truly replaced Payet
It takes something special to lead a Hammers side to victory over Liverpool at Anfield.
But Payet did just that, pulling the strings in a memorable campaign which saw West Ham just miss out on Champions League football by four points.
Now there’s no lack of irony as the Hammers turn to Liverpool to find a player finally fit to fill Payet’s talented boots.
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Yes West Ham have had Lucas Paqueta – who received a standing ovation for his performance in defeat to Liverpool at Anfield a couple of seasons ago.
Payet could grab games by the scruff of their neck, though, and decide them on his own.
Former Hammers Dimitri Payet lit up West Ham and the Premier League after signing on June 26th 2015.
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Much like one Liverpool star West Ham are reportedly readying a bid for 10 years to the day that Payet joined the Hammers.
Harvey Elliott has grown tired of a lack of game time at Liverpool and is said to be looking for a move this summer.
The Reds are open to selling too given their big outlay on transfers after a frugal summer window last year.
West Ham ready Liverpool bid for Payet replacement 10 years on
Elliott showed the world what he is capable of by scoring two wonderful goals as he single-handedly put England Under 21s in the European Championship final.
Hammers News revealed earlier this week that West Ham claim transfer activity has been delayed because many of their targets have been taking part in that tournament.
Now, according to talkSPORT reporter Ben Jacobs, Elliott is one of them.
Jacobs claims West Ham are now readying a bid to sign Elliott, who is also attracting interest from Graham Potter’s old club Brighton.
The 22-year-old only made two starts in the Premier League for Liverpool last season.
England v Netherlands - UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2025 Semi-Final
Photo by Tullio Puglia – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Elliott had one start in the Champions League under Arne Slot – as well as four substitute appearances – but managed to get three goals.
Besides Paqueta, the midfielder’s trickery, intelligence and attacking flair would probably make him the closest thing West Ham have had to Payet in the last 10 years.
He showed all that and more with his goals in England’s 2-1 Euros semi-final victory over Holland.
West Ham will be encouraged by pundit opinion surrounding Elliott’s Liverpool future.
Elliott urged to leave Liverpool amid West Ham interest
Jacobs’ talkSPORT colleagues Jamie O’Hara and Jason Cundy are adamant he must leave Anfield for regular game time amid the interest from the Hammers.
“In my opinion, he has to leave Liverpool,” Cundy said.
“If he’s got less than four or five games in all minutes, he has to leave and there’ll be plenty of suitors.
“But wherever he goes from Liverpool will be a step backwards.”
O’Hara then added: “If he wants to play week-in-week-out, he has to (leave Liverpool)…
“He can play as a No.10, he can play in different areas, he can play in midfield, there’s a lot to like.”