Liverpool 'nearly signed' Dimitri Payet

By Tom Nightingale, Reporter | 24 October 2015

Jamie Carragher alleges that Liverpool nearly signed West Ham star Dimitri Payet five years ago and calls the midfielder one of the standout Premier League players.

Jamie Carragher has revealed that Liverpool considered signing West Ham United star Dimitri Payet five years ago when the midfielder was playing for Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1.

Payet has had a successful start to life in England with the Hammers, scoring five goals in his first nine matches and helping Slaven Bilic's side to victories over Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City.

Carragher has claimed that the Reds were keeping tabs on the Frenchman in 2010 but said that a move to Anfield failed to materialise, with the midfielder instead joining Lille.

"[Payet] has been one of the top three or four performers in the Barclays Premier League so far," Carragher told the Daily Mail.
"I know that Liverpool looked at [him] five years ago when he played for Saint-Etienne.

"The way that Payet has played since arriving at Upton Park has captured the imagination and given Bilic's reign some much-needed early momentum.

"[He] was superb in both those games [against Arsenal and Liverpoool], as he was against Manchester City in their other big, unexpected away win."

Payet's side host Chelsea in a London derby in the Premier League on Saturday.