The 33-year-old Frenchman put pen to paper on a new four-year contract with Marseille in June that will effectively see him stay at the club until the end of his career.
However, Payet had some options to consider before committing his future to Les Olympiens, with former coach Bielsa presenting an enticing offer.
According to French magazine Le 10 Sport, the Argentine tactician picked up the phone to Payet to discuss a possible reunion at Leeds in the ongoing transfer window.
While the prospect of linking up with Bielsa at Elland Road in the Premier League was tempting, the 33-year-old eventually decided to stay put.
A move to Leeds this summer would have seen Payet return to England after almost four years, having plied his trade for West Ham between 2015 and 2017.
The Frenchman moved to the English top flight in the summer of 2015, following one season under Bielsa at Marseille.
During his single campaign under the management of the Argentine, Payet scored seven goals and provided 21 assists from 36 league appearances.
