West Ham United: Lucas Paqueta sends message after Said Benrahma transfer news

Lucas Paqueta has sent a message to Said Benrahma after his confirmed exit from West Ham to join Lyon.

The Hammers confirmed the departure of the Algeria international (2 February) who joined the French Ligue 1 club following a transfer deadline day delay at the London Stadium.

Lyon accused the Hammers of "incomprehensible behaviour" and a "lack of respect" after the move failed to be completed late on Deadline Day.

However, Lyon CEO Laurent Prud'homme later said FIFA had validated the club's request for an international transfer certificate with the deal finally announced on Friday.

Benrahma took to his Instagram account (2 February) to announce his move to France and Paqueta shared his response after seeing his teammate join his old club, writing: "Come on brother, good luck to you in this club that I love very much."

Said Benrahma saga could damage West Ham transfer reputation

The Benrahma saga was worthy of a TV drama series and West Ham were clearly the ones to blame as the situation spiralled out of control and required a FIFA intervention.

It was a real dramatic turn of events as the Hammers looked like they wanted to sabotage Benrahma’s move on purpose all because they didn’t find a replacement before the deadline.

The French club have been desperate for brand new signings given their position in Ligue 1, fighting for their lives down the bottom and Benrahma was supposed to be the difference-making transfer.

That dream was close to being ruined by West Ham’s ineptitude but more crucially, the East Londoners have derailed themselves in the process.

This development certainly ruins the club's reputation in the market.

The next time they want to offload an unhappy or a wantaway player, interested parties may not be so willing to do business after this.

For Benrahma, though, he couldn't get away any slower and that's been a representation of the latter stages of his career at the London Stadium. Fans may never see him don the West Ham shirt again.

Judging by Paqueta's message, he knows it too.

In other West Ham news, a Hammers exit deal broke down after an offer was made, with a manager rejection detailed.

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