Dimitri Payet was 'a flawed individual' and sold because he was a disruptive influence on the team, according to West Ham co-owner David Sullivan.
The France international playmaker, signed for £10.5million from Marseille in June 2015, enjoyed a superb debut season with the Hammers, scoring 15 goals and contributing 17 assists in all competitions.
But Payet grew unsettled after impressing for his national team on their run to the final of Euro 2016 and, despite having extended his West Ham contract until 2021, was sold back to Marseille for £25m in January.
While free-kick specialist Payet was influential on the field, his presence started to unsettle the rest of Slaven Bilic's players off it and the reluctant decision was taken to sell.