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Cape Town - West Ham United co-owner David Gold admits that while the club is dreading a Barcelona or Real Madrid offer for Dimitri Payet, they will make a good profit on the sale.
Gold is well aware that Payet's extraordinary performances in the European Championship, along with last season's Premiership form makes him a prime target for high-profile clubs who can afford to spend what the club asks for.
The Hammers will be especially keen to keep hold of the 29-year old playmaker since the 2016/17 season sees the return of European football to the Boleyn Ground in the form of the Europa League.
"We'll fight tooth and nail to make sure Dimitri pulls on a claret and blue shirt next season," Gold told The Sun.
"We want to improve our squad and Dimitri is an integral part of what we're trying to do. But we also must be realistic.
"If Barcelona or Real Madrid made a bid and he wanted to move there, it would be difficult to keep him.
"But the phone has not rung yet — although we know there's a chance it will once the tournament [Euro 2016] is over. We're not silly. Yet, let me be very clear, we would not welcome a call.
"The club certainly doesn’t need to sell him so this is not a case of, 'we’ve bought him for £10m and can now make a tidy profit'."
