Dimitri Payet's 2015/16 season was an exceptional one. No other West Ham player managed to reach the levels he did - at times he was a one-man tour-de-force in the final third for the Irons - and in his debut season outside of France he scored nine goals and laid on twelve assists in the Premier League.

That was form that rolled into EURO 2016, too, as he helped Les Bleus to reach the final in a home tournament, scoring three times, while providing two assists in the process, across six games.

That's meant that speculation around his future has reached fever pitch in recent months, with a variety of clubs linked with the Frenchman. Manchester United and Arsenal were heavily aligned with the attacking midfielder last month, as reported by The Daily Star, and Marseille are the latest club in the Payet race, with French outlet L'Equipe reporting just last week that he could be on his way out of West Ham.

Should Payet stay? Or should West Ham cash in?

Here are FIVE reasons why the Hammers should take the money for Payet this transfer window...

His value will never be higher

Given the incredible season he had last year and his exceptional performances in the EUROs, this is the last transfer window that West Ham can get serious money for their star man.

L'Equipe reported that he could move for a fee up to £35m - a significant return on West Ham's initial investment on the midfielder.

But, memories of the last 18 months will soon fade, and although he's still shone at times this campaign, hasn't quite hit the heights Hammers fans got used to last term.

If nothing else, it makes financial sense to sell him at the peak of his value.

He isn't scoring as many goals

As noted, last season Payet scored nine Premier League goals for West Ham, leading them to a European qualification spot.

This season it isn't going quite so well. He's only netted twice in the Premier League and neither goal has contributed to a win. A talismanic presence last year who often dragged them to three point-hauls on his own, this term he just isn't impacting on matches as much as he once was.

He's still creating plenty of chances, though. No one, in fact, has created more chances than him in the Premier League this season, but it's those goals that made him stand out so much. If he can't find the net as often as West Ham need, then landing a big fee could be tempting.

Is he committed to the club?

As reported recently by The Sun, Slaven Bilic spoke to Dimitri Payet about his ongoing commitment to play for the club. With his performances faltering, fans have been, of course, concerned and this seems to confirm things were not all going well for Payet at the club.

The Sun say that Bilic has not just been concerned with performances but also his application on the training pitch.

If he's not putting in the hard work to succeed, then perhaps it's best for all parties that he moves on. West Ham can ill afford players not willing to give everything for the shirt, especially if their bad form continues and they slip into a relegation dogfight.

The squad needs investment in other areas

West Ham are badly wanting for goals this season and a striker must be a priority for Slaven Bilic in this month's transfer window.

Signings like Simone Zaza just haven't worked out and between them, the Hammers' strikers have found the net just three times in the Premier League.

If they can secure a large fee for the attacking midfielder, they could invest in a more dynamic star in the final third, one that guarantees movement and goals.

That will cost money, so freeing up wages and boosting fee resources could prove a shrewd move by Bilic and the club.

He isn't getting any younger

Because the French midfielder has been at West Ham for only 18 months, it's easy to forget that he is approaching 30.

The pace and physical demands of the Premier League have never been higher and cashing in now on Payet means they'll be selling a player who is likely at his peak ability wise.

Investing in younger, hungrier talent could pay dividends for West Ham over the next half decade. It's that silver lining that Hammers fans should take if the club do decide to cash in.

There's no doubting that Payet is a quality player but if that ability and form is only going to regress then surely it makes sense to do the deal on his transfer right now?