Dimitri Payet Agrees to New Contract with West Ham

West Ham United's Dimitri Payet has signed a new contract that will keep Payet with the club following a strong showing in his first season with the Hammers.

West Ham announced Payet' new contract will keep him with the club until 2021.

Payet previously drew interest from China. "Chinese club prepared to pay £38 million to sign Payet from West Ham. Offering him £135,000 a week after tax," reported Sky Sports News' Kaveh Solhekol on Feb. 9.

The Chinese Super League has become a big draw for European players recently due to the hefty fees and wages its clubs are prepared to pay, with Jackson Martinez, Alex Teixeira and Ramires all having moved to the Far East recently. 

The Chinese transfer window remains open until Feb. 26, meaning they can still sign players while Europe's winter window is closed.

Arsenal and Chelsea have also been linked with the Frenchman recently, and it has been reported that his representatives have demanded a pay rise for their client to £125,000 a week—he currently earns £65,000 per week at West Ham—per the Sun's Andrew Dillon. 

However, Payet, 28, has committed himself to West Ham, sending out a tweet of reassurance following recent rumours: "I say & I repeat I'm proud to wear the shirt of West Ham. My future is here and I hope for many years."

The east London club also issued a statement in which they said they had entered "amicable and productive talks about an improvement and extension to [Payet's] contract."

Payet only signed for the Hammers last summer on a five-year deal. He arrived from Marseille for £10 million and has proved a huge hit at Upton Park.

In 18 Premier League games this season he has netted six goals and provided four assists as Slaven Bilic's side have moved into sixth in the table, per WhoScored.com.

He is one of West Ham's most important attacking players and would have been a huge loss if he had left.