Olympique Marseille chief Andoni Zubizarreta has defended their deal for Dimitri Payet.

West Ham co-chairman David Gold complained this week about selling the midfielder last month for €29 million.

But Zubi says: "In times of the past, a player would arrive and we'd already want to take stock and imagine what he can do.

"We have hardly had time to present Payet that some already say: 'He is too expensive, he is too old, etc ...'.

"I'm more pragmatic. I let football talk. Only football holds the truth. Knowing the player, knowing his talent, knowing our strength, I think he will prove himself. I can feel it. We will have to improve some things, have other recruits, which will make Payet even stronger. We'll see this summer, but I think Payet's return to OM will be a success."