West Ham United: Andy Goldstein reacts to Said Benrahma exit controversy
Andy Goldstein doesn’t doesn’t believe a computer issue prevented Said Benrahma from making his move from West Ham to Lyon before the transfer deadline on Thursday (1 February).
Speaking on talkSPORT on Friday (2 February, 04:37pm), pundit Andy Townsend said it was a “weird one” as the Algerian international’s move to the French club was initially blocked following an apparent issue with the winger’s switch being registered on FIFA’s Transfer Matching System (TMS).
But host Goldstein dismissed those claims before the 28-year-old completed his move to the Ligue 1 side on loan, which includes an obligation-to-buy clause, after FIFA approved the transfer on Friday.
“I bet your computers worked, not like last night,” said Goldstein.
“What about that?” added Townsend. “You’re Said Benrahma, you think you’re going to Lyon, you think you’ve got the deal sorted and, all of a sudden, there’s a problem with the computer.”
“I don’t believe that at all,” replied Goldstein.
“That’s a weird one,” said Townsend.
Transfer confusion for West Ham and Lyon
This was an incredibly confusing situation as it appeared as though Benrahma’s move was all but sealed before the events that unfolded on Thursday night.
The winger had been in Lyon for his medical and to sign his contract, while a photo emerged of him on social media in one of the Ligue 1 club’s tracksuits.
It’s baffling that the two sides left it so late to get the deal done in the first place, but there would have been huge questions asked had the transfer not been completed.
The French side sent out a scathing statement about how disappointed they were with the Hammers’ conduct, but it looks as though we may have been an innocent party in this situation.
The main thing is, though, that the deal was completed and we will earn up to £12.8million once he makes the permanent switch in the summer window.
In other West Ham news, a journalist has been wowed by the Hammers’ transfer business.
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