Said Benrahma still in the UK after West Ham United agree £12million-plus permanent overseas exit deal- David Ornstein
Said Benrahma’s West Ham departure is now in his own hands after the club gave him permission to travel to Lyon to complete a move, according to David Ornstein.
The Athletic journalist reported via the outlet’s live-blog on 31 January (9.22am) that the Hammers attacker is still in the UK “as things stand currently” but a permanent exit is now agreed with the Ligue 1 side.
The deal is set to be a loan with an obligation to buy the 28-year-old for “in the region” of €15million [£12.8m] with the French club’s owner John Textor a long-term admirer of the Algerian.
West Ham have been working on bringing in a new signing at Benrahma’s position this month, and agreed personal terms with former Celtic star Jota after a move for Ibrahim Osman collapsed in bizarre circumstances.
Against the clock
Unless something unforeseen shows up in a medical it looks like the only way this move now doesn’t happen would be if Benrahma decides against it.
He was said to be “dragging his feet” on the move amid suggestions of complications around agent fees, but with less than 48 hours now left before the deadline his exit from the London Stadium after 155 appearances looks imminent.
West Ham are surely going to need to push for progress on an incoming move on the assumption that Benrahma does go because there will be precious little time remaining after the move is confirmed.
Should he go without a replacement coming in it will reduce David Moyes’ attacking options for the rest of the season, but despite a selection crisis already striking the forward positions this term the former Brentford man has still only made 13 largely substitute appearances in the Premier League so far.
He was sent off in his last game as the Hammers were knocked out of the FA Cup by Bristol City, so if that is his final involvement for the club it won’t be a great one.
But he also played a key part in the club’s greatest success in recent years, netting a penalty in the 2-1 victory over Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final in May.
In other West Ham news, a second permanent London Stadium exit is now on the cards before the transfer deadline.
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