West Ham United: Said Benrahma exit to Lyon now edges closer after deal agreed at London Stadium
Said Benrahma’s exit from West Ham to join Lyon is edging closer to completion, according to Jacob Steinberg.
The Guardian journalist shared on his personal X account (30 January) that the Algerian forward is now edging closer to a move to join the French club, after reports emerged that he was reluctant to join [Steinberg, 30 January).
The Sun journalist Jack Rosser also reported via X [30 January] that an agreement has been made between the two parties, but the winger has not yet decided on whether to move.
Now, it is believed the deal is edging closer to completion with Benrahma now on the verge of joining Thilo Kehrer, and Conor Coventry out the exit door.
Steinberg posted: “Said Benrahma to Lyon for just over £15m edging closer and Pablo Fornals likely to go to Real Betis. West Ham would surely need to get cover in before the window shuts.”
Good riddance
This will be extremely good news for Hammers fans, considering the player’s lack of form this season. With Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta and Mohammed Kudus all preferred to him, the Algerian has made five league starts.
Even when granted the opportunity by David Moyes to step up to the plate in the midst of an injury crisis at London Stadium, Benrahma was nowhere to be seen which may have suggested his head was elsewhere.
£15m fee for a player who hasn’t enjoyed a decent 90-minute display for the club is an excellent business and a deal that technical director Tim Steidten would not have been hesitant to accept.
Considering West Ham’s targets of Ibrahim Osman and Al Ittihad’s Jota, it is clear the club want at least one new winger before the transfer window closes on 1 February and that fee could well fund what they need.
There is no doubt that Benrahma is a decent player, having been a long-standing servant at London Stadium since arriving from Brentford on a £20million deal with £5million in add-ons, following a £5million loan deal.
However, it simply has not worked out in the latter stages of his career in East London and it is best for all parties that they go their separate ways.
In other West Ham news, the man at the centre of a transfer window controversy wants the Hammers to sign him.
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