Wenger surprised by Payet situation

Arsene Wenger has been surprised by Dimitri Payet expressing his wish to leave West Ham and blamed the transfer window for unsettling players in January.

On Thursday, Hammers boss Slaven Bilic revealed Payet wanted a move and would not be training with the first team until his attitude changes.

Despite signing a new deal in February, the France international has been linked with a return to former club Marseille and a switch to London rivals Chelsea.

Wenger has not been impressed with the 29-year-old's attitude, though, and hopes to see Payet remain with West Ham beyond the transfer window.

"The vibes you get from outside are not very positive, I must say," he told a media conference.

"But it's very difficult for me to talk about that, because I don't really know what's behind [it].

"I hope just that West Ham and Payet can sort this situation out, because from the outside it looks very complicated. 

"The boy is not known for having a bad mentality. What is suddenly happening to him, I don't know. Only they can explain that."

When asked if having a transfer window was to blame for players declaring their desire to move, Wenger was in no doubt.

He added: "I always was against it. You would not have this kind of story.

"I believe in a way it's easy news and easy interest for the Premier League, but on the other hand I believe it's completely against the spirit of what a football club should be.

"Once you are on the train at the start of a season, you stay on the train until the end of the season.

"You do not have a stop in the middle where half of the team goes out and another half comes in, and you continue your trip. I personally don't think that it is right."