WEST HAM may consider shelving their expensive pursuit of Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette to ensure Dimitri Payet remains their star man.

Lyon are continuing to demand £40m for striker Lacazette as they wait for Paris St Germain to firm up their interest with a bid. West Ham have offered a deal worth up to £32m but are now wondering whether to divert their focus elsewhere and protect Payet as the most important player at the club.

The 29-year-old Payet grabbed more headlines on Wednesday as he scored France's second goal in their 2-0 win over Albania. It was his second goal of Euro 2016 and served to alert even more clubs to his ability.

West Ham, have lodged a £32m bid for Alexandre Lacazette, but the Hammers may withdraw their interest

Dimitri Payet is becoming the star of Euro 2016 and West Ham are keen for him to remain their main man

West Ham bought Payet from Marseille last summer for £10.75million and his value is soaring with every performance.

Agent Mark McKay, who worked on behalf of West Ham with Payet's agent Jacques-Olivier Auguste to bring the player to London, said: 'You have to say that the signing of Dimitri Payet was terrific business by David Sullivan. West Ham have made him feel like a King and he has revelled in the responsibility.

'They recognised the talent he had at Marseille and the club and supporters have shown him the love he craved.

'You wonder if they need a bigger name going into the Olympic Stadium. He's emerging as the star of Euro 2016 and West Ham have got the player all of Europe wants.

'The signing of Sofiane Feghouli from Valencia is another astute piece of business so you know the club is doing things the right way. If they can keep Payet why would they need another big name?'

West Ham remain in discussions over a deal for Gokhan Tore from Besiktas and want at least one more forward but are keen to ensure they don't upset the harmony Slaven Bilic has created in the camp.

SOUTHAMPTON have held discussions over a move for Stuttgart winger Filip Kostic.

The Serbia international is valued at £12million by the Bundesliga side who signed him from FC Groningen in 2014 for £4.75m.

Liverpool are among the clubs to have checked on Kostic this season, while Borussia Dortmund, Wolfsburg and Schalke have also expressed an interest in the 23-year-old who plays on the left wing but is comfortable on the right or behind the striker.

Kostic scored five goals in the Bundesliga last season and has a contract until 2019 but has rejected the offer of fresh terms.

Southampton have concerns about the futures of Sadio Mane, a target for Liverpool, and Dusan Tadic.

They are hopeful of beating Stoke City to the signing of another winger Nathan Redmond from Norwich City in a deal worth around £10million.

Nathan Redmond is a £10m target for Southampton and Stoke City following Norwich City's relegation

LIVERPOOL are awaiting an offer from Besiktas for misfit Mario Balotelli.

The 25-year-old has finished his loan with AC Milan and his agent Mino Raiola has held talks with the Turkish club over a proposed transfer.

'I offered Mario to Besiktas and I'm waiting for their answer,' Raiola told the Turkish outlet Spox.com.tr. 'But I'm quite sure the transfer will happen, as the president already assured me in the past that he would do everything he can to sign him.'

Mario Balotelli's itinerant career could be about to take the Italian to Turkey, with Besiktas lining up a swoop

Besiktas are in the Champions League next season and are also among the clubs to show an interest in Manchester City's Aleksandar Kolarov. The 30-year-old Serbia international has interest from Italy and England but his wages are problematic.

Besiktas expect to sell Gokhan Tore and Atiba Hutchinson to West Ham.

Liverpool will be hoping to sell Balotelli but Besiktas may propose another loan first. The Anfield club have agreed to sell defender Martin Skrtel to Fenerbahce for £5.5m and have refuted suggestions they have been approached by a Chinese consortium over a prospective takeover.

STOKE CITY remain confident of beating rivals to the signature of West Brom's Saido Berahino.

Manager Mark Hughes made a bold attempt to sign the 22-year-old in January and is hopeful his persistence will pay off.

West Brom are looking for close to £20million despite the fact Berahino has only one year left on his contract and Stoke are trying to find a compromise.

Stoke City are trying to fend off challengers in the race for Saido Berahino, for who West Brom want £20m

Watford have shown an interest but not made a bid, while Tottenham have cooled interest as they pursue AZ Alkmaar's Vincent Janssen and Michy Batshuayi from Marseille.

Berahino has been working with striker coach Allan Russell, who also works with the likes of Harry Kane and Toulouse forward Martin Braithwaite, to improve his sharpness after a disappointing season.

BLACKBURN ROVERS are closing on a deal for former Celtic striker Anthony Stokes.

The 26-year-old has offers from Rotherham, Wigan and other Championship clubs but has been won over by talks with new Ewood Park boss Owen Coyle.

Blackburn held discussions on Tuesday with Stokes and have also spoken to former Sunderland striker Danny Graham.

Coyle is also looking at the loan market to lift his squad, after the success he had with Jack Wilshere and Daniel Sturridge while at Bolton, and has held discussions with Chelsea and Arsenal.

Anthony Stokes could be set for a move to Blackburn Rovers, who have also spoken to Danny Graham

NEWCASTLE UNITED striker Papiss Cisse is being courted by clubs in China as he considers his next move. The 31-year-old will be allowed to leave by Rafa Benitez should a decent offer arrive, as the Spanish boss looks to build a squad to win promotion from the Championship. Cisse had interest from the Middle East and China in January and Beijing Guoan are among those to express an interest this time round.

Newcastle are hopeful that winger Andros Townsend will stay despite interest from the likes of Crystal Palace.

Newcastle are desperate to keep hold of Andros Townsend, but striker Papiss Cisse will be allowed to leave

QPR, Sheffield Wednesday and Celtic are among the clubs to have made tentative enquiries about Millwall striker Lee Gregory. The 27-year-old, who used to partner Jamie Vardy in attack at Halifax Town, scored 27 goals last season as Millwall narrowly missed out on promotion from League One - losing in the -play-off final to Barnsley. Gregory signed a three year deal with Millwall in 2014.