Slaven Bilic believes retaining the services of Dimitri Payet this summer proves that West Ham are "serious" about moving onto a new level.

Payet was instrumental for the Hammers last season and scored nine Premier League goals to help inspire the club to a seventh place finish.

Such blistering form has seen the Frenchman, who was also one of the stars of Euro 2016, regularly linked with a move away from east London.

But Bilic is adamant the club's commitment to keep the 29-year-old sends a clear message to England's elite - West Ham no longer have to sell the cream of their crop.

"We're keeping Dimtiri Payet," Bilic told Sky Sports News.

"We wanted to show that the club is serious when were talking about new goals or trying to get the club to another level.

"That shows me as much as the new stadium - even more - because West Ham has always been labelled as a club that has to sell our best players.

"Whether that's Frank Lampard or Rio Ferdinand. But we've kept Dimi and we showed everyone that the club is serious," he added.

Bilic and the club's hierarchy have made no secret of their ambition to compete with the biggest sides in the Premier League following their move to the London Stadium.

West Ham's home gate is set to be boosted to 60,000 and the foundations have been laid for Bilic, who has strengthened significantly this summer, to launch an assault on the top four.

The Hammers start their campaign against Chelsea on Monday night, with new signing Andre Ayew expected to make his debut.