For West Ham fans, it is an unnerving time.

Their star player is now a known phenomenon at Premier League level and is now stylishly gracing the European Championships this summer.

A relative unknown a year ago, Payet's star is very much in the ascendancy and now sadly for Hammers fans everywhere, the French midfielder is a wanted man.

Real Madrid appear very keen on the Frenchman and with fellow countryman Zinedine Zidane at the helm, Payet could be lured to the Bernabeu to link up with some of the best in Europe.

Back in East London, the club are exceptionally keen to play down any talk of a departure after Payet signed a new five year deal in February this year.

As we all know, contracts only protect the club and are virtually meaningless. If Real want their man badly enough and are willing to cough up a considerable amount of money, then if the player's head is turned, what can the club do?

If he goes, he will be irreplaceable, but West Ham could consider other options...

Toni Kroos

German midfielder Kroos, is a top, top playmaker and very influential for club and country. Under Zidane, Kroos is back to his best.

While Real Madrid's front three of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale is one of the best around on an individual level, the team's overall balance relies on players like Kroos.

Exceptionally high passing statistics, dribbling and with great vision, The Hammers could almost swap Payet for Kroos and a man who has won it all.

James Rodriguez

Life has not been good for the Real Madrid man and he could be on his way out of the club this summer.

Capable of playing in the front three or the middle three, Rodriguez is simply a superb all-round footballer.

Skilful and inventive, the Colombia international can convert as well as create, but Real value the Colombian at £60m and Manchester United are one interested party.

Roberto Pereyra

The Italian champions are planning on a summer spending spree, but first need to raise cash to boost their transfer war chest.

According to Tuttosport, the Old Lady are prepared to put Pereyra in the shop window, with the Argentine only considered a bit-part player by manager Massimiliano Allegri.

The Argentine's fitness is the only thing stopping West Ham moving now, but Pereyra made just 16 appearances for Juve last season and a move away from Juve is definite.

Having signed Pereyra from Udinese after a loan period, Juve are happy to let the midfielder leave.

Luka Modric

A dream for all Hammers fans would be to see this diminutive Croatian playing in the Claret and Blue.

If anyone could pull off the coup of the summer transfer window, then it would be fellow Croat Slaven Bilic.

Modric pulls all the strings for Real and value him as highly as West Ham value Payet. His passing accuracy is rarely ever comparable, his dribbling sublime and Modric has a willingness to track back and win back the ball.

With money in the bank, the Londoners could trigger the release clause and recruit an exceptional talent that would push The Hammers on to realise their ambitions.