West Ham United co-chairman David Gold has struck a note of frustration over the saga involving Dimiti Payet, raising the prospect of closing the January transfer window.
Payet is keen to quit West Ham and return to former club Marseille. As such the France international has told the Hammers he no longer wishes to play for them and is forcing a move away from the London Stadium.
Gold has now called for an assessment to be made on closing the January window, despite the fact West Ham are themselves looking to sign players after enduring a miserable summer of transfer business.
He wrote on Twitter: "With a number of top Premier League players holding clubs to ransom, is it time to close the January transfer window?"
West Ham are themselves in the market for signings this month and have had bids for Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe and Hull City forward Robert Snodgrass rejected.
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Gold's words may indicate frustration at the London Stadium that West Ham appear unable to secure their targets this month.
West Ham would have been directly affected without a January window as it would have prevented the club ending striker Simone Zaza's loan spell, with the Italian having disappointed after joining from Juventus in the summer.
It remains to be seen if West Ham hold on to Payet, having vowed not to sell him.
