West Ham United are planning a winter training camp in Dubai, although midfielder Dimitri Payet will be excluded from the travelling party, according to media reports.
According to the Daily Mail, West Ham are organising a trip to the UAE, with manager Slaven Bilic keen to take his players away for some warm-weather training ahead of the season run-in.
West Ham will reportedly head to Dubai following their Premier League match with West Bromwich Albion on February 11, after which the London club do not have another fixture until February 25 when they face Watford.
However, according to the report, West Ham will travel without Payet as the France international continues his attempts to force a move back to former club Marseille.
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Two weeks ago, Bilic revealed how Payet, 30, was refusing to play for West Ham, a stance that left the club's manager feeling "let down" and "angry". Despite Payet effectively going on strike, Bilic insisted West Ham would not be selling their "best player", who has been banished to the reserves.
West Ham’s senior players have reportedly informed Bilic that Payet would not be welcomed back into the set-up, fearing his reintegration could destabilise the team spirit built in the midfielder’s absence. Since Bilic’s announcement on January 12, West Ham have won both matches without Payet.
Marseille have already had three bids rejected by West Ham for Payet, and while the French club have said they are dropping their interest, it is thought a fourth offer will be made, although it is expected to still be below West Ham’s £30 million (Dh137.8m) asking price.
West Ham signed Payet from Marseille in July 2015 for £10m. It proved one of the best signings of the season, with Payet scoring nine goals and creating 12 assists in his debut Premier League season as West Ham finished seventh, just four points off fourth and a place in the Uefa Champions League.
Payet continued his fine form at the European Championship last summer, scoring three goals and creating two assists as France reached the Euro 2016 final.
* The National staff
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