Friday 20 January 2017 23:47, UK
Marseille are resigned to not signing Dimitri Payet from West Ham during this transfer window, according to Sky sources.
Sky Sports News HQ understand that the Ligue 1 club do not think it will be possible to sign him during this window and they are considering moving on to other targets.
However, Sky Sports News HQ reporter Kaveh Solhekol believes this could be the next step in a game of brinkmanship between the clubs.
He said: "There are two ways you can look at this and the first is that you can take what they are saying at face value.
"Another way of looking at it is this could be a game of brinkmanship with West Ham. West Ham have a player who is refusing to play and who is training with the U23s.
"They are demanding £30m and Marseille are not willing to pay more than £25m so is this just a game of poker between the clubs?
"Marseille are saying they're not going to pay that. What I'm being told is they're resigned to not signing him in this window."
Payet has refused to play for West Ham for more than a week after informing the Hammers of a wish to return to his former club for family reasons.
It is understood Payet has even rejected offers of astronomic wages from Chinese Super League clubs because he is determined to return to France.
Payet missed West Ham's 3-0 win over Crystal Palace last weekend and once again will not be considered for their squad when they travel to Middlesbrough on Saturday.
He currently earns £125,000 per week at the London Stadium after signing a new contract until the summer of 2021 last February.
Payet has scored 15 goals in 60 appearances and accepted a £1m loyalty bonus from the club in September.
