Report: West Ham hopes Payet factor helps win Batshuayi race

West Ham United is hoping to use Dimitri Payet as a pawn to lure Michy Batshuayi to east London this summer.

The Hammers will have to fight off competition from Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus to acquire the Belgian and, according to The Telegraph's Matt Law, are open to using Payet's relationship with the forward from their shared time at Marseille to help secure his signature.

West Ham is still chasing Champions League qualification while Juventus and Spurs look assured of competing in the competition next term, but it is believed that even if a route into the Europa League is booked instead that Batshuayi would still join.

Manager Slaven Bilic can also offer an easier route into the starting XI, while at Tottenham he would have to usurp fan favourite Harry Kane. Juventus has Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic, Simone Zaza, and Alvaro Morata vying for attacking roles, but rumours persist that the latter could be moving on soon.

The ease with which Payet has adjusted to life in the Premier League wouldn't have gone unnoticed by Batshuayi, either. The midfielder has bagged eight goals and seven assists over 21 starts in the division.

Despite having several factors in its favour for its Batshuayi pursuit, West Ham has alternatives lined up should it fall through, including Manchester City's Wilfried Bony and Liverpool's Christian Benteke. Other options at Marseille are also being explored too, with full-back Benjamin Mendy and winger Georges-Kevin N'Koudou featuring on Bilic's wishlist.

West Ham travels to Manchester United on Sunday to battle for progression to the FA Cup semi-finals.