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The West Ham manager says he spoke to the France forward concerning the club's pursuit of the deputy Ghana captain.

West Ham United coach Slaven Bilic has disclosed consulting playmaker Dimitri Payet ahead of the signing of Ghana international Andre Ayew.

The Hammers, on Monday, confirmed the transfer of the 26-year-old from Swansea City, after a long battle for the attacker's services.

Payet, meanwhile, played alongside Ayew during their time with French Ligue 1 side Marseille, from where they both headed for England last summer albeit different destinations.

"Ayew brings more quality," Bilic said at West Ham's pre-match presser on Thursday ahead of Monday's Premier League opener with Chelsea.

"We had a good season last year but we wanted to improve the team. We lost some players as well.

"I am sure that Ayew will bring more quality. He has good experience from playing at Marseille and did a good job last season [with Swansea].

"He can be a game changer and we are happy to have signed him. He wanted to come here and you want players who want to join you.

"He was very excited about coming to West Ham. He was our target for a long time and I spoke to Payet a few times about him."

 Ayew netted 12 goals in 34 league appearances for Swansea last season.