West Ham United: Dimitri Payet extends contract until 2021

West Ham United playmaker Dimitri Payet has signed a new contract keeping him at the club until 2021. Payet, 28, has enjoyed a scintillating first season in English football following his summer move from Marseille, scoring six and assisting six more to help lift West Ham up to sixth in the Premier League.

A statement from the Hammers read: "West Ham United are delighted to announce that Dimitri Payet has signed a new long-term contract with the club.

"The outstanding France playmaker, who has made a huge impact in Claret and Blue since arriving from Marseille last summer, has penned a deal until the summer of 2021."

Reported interest from an unnamed Chinese club – who are ready to pay £38m ($55m) for the playmaker, according to Sky Sports – heightened West Ham's desire to get their new talisman tied down to a new contract.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday 11 February, Slaven Bilic confirmed he was confident of a new deal being signed in the very near future.

"I think we are very close to signing a contract and I hope it is going to be done," Bilic told a press conference on 11 February. "Both parties have the intention [for him] to stay at West Ham. When you are playing like he is playing many clubs show interest, but we are going to do everything we can to keep him with us.

"Every player has a price but the good thing is he is happy at West Ham, we are more than happy with him and I hope – and I really think – that he will play with us for a long, long time."